Iraq, Egypt to attend Syria talks in Vienna on Oct. 30

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and Iraq's Deputy Foreign Minister Nazar al-Khairalla will attend international talks on the Syrian crisis taking place on Oct. 30 in Vienna.

Iran, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's closest regional ally, is also expected to attend following a request from Moscow for wider participation.

Russia had asked for participation in the talks to be  widened to include both Egypt and Iran, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's closest regional ally. 

Egypt's decision to take part in the talks is the latest signal of warming relations between Russia and Egypt. 

Cairo has publicly come out in support of Russian air strikes in Syria, saying they would curtail the spread of terrorism and deal a blow to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), whose local affiliate is battling Egyptian security forces in the Sinai Peninsula. 

However, it has avoided showing direct support for Assad, a leader whom Saudi Arabia, a close ally that has helped prop up the Egyptian economy, believes should be ousted from power. 

Egypt's decision to join the talks follows a visit by Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir to Cairo on Oct. 25. At a joint press conference, Shoukry made no comment on the Russian invitation and denied the two allies were at odds over Syria, where Saudi Arabia has backed some rebel groups. 

Feminist initiative #MoreWomen photoshops men out of politics to underline inequalities

8 funny responses to the 'thrones' that welcomed Merkel in Istanbul

Turkish police raid Koza ?pek's media HQ in Istanbul amid protests

Halfeti - A town of mesmerizing beauty

Exhibition shows Istanbul through eyes of children

Secret weapons of Turkish army: locally...