BAGHDAD (AP) – An Iraqi government spokesman says Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has arrived in Baghdad for talks, in what’s thought to be the first visit by a Palestinian leader since the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Spokesman Ali al-Dabagh says the U.S.-backed Abbas arrived Sunday in Iraq at the invitation of Iraqi President Jalal Talabani.

Al-Dabagh says the visit marks the first time a Palestinian leader has visited Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion that ousted dictator Saddam Hussein. He says Abbas also will meet with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

About 11,000 Palestinians live in Iraq, mostly in Baghdad. Some have been targeted in Iraqi sectarian attacks because of their perceived privileged status under Saddam.