BAGHDAD, July 26 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi met here on Sunday with his visiting Lebanese counterpart Nawaf Salam on strengthening bilateral cooperation and promoting regional stability, according to a statement from al-Zaidi's media office.

The meeting, attended by ministers from both countries, focused on expanding bilateral ties across economic, political and security fields, the statement said.

Al-Zaidi highlighted the deep-rooted bilateral ties, and stressed the importance of building fruitful economic partnerships across various development sectors and of joint coordination to navigate regional challenges, reduce tensions and halt ongoing conflicts, it added.

Salam arrived in Baghdad earlier in the day with a high-level delegation. His visit came amid escalating regional tensions following recent exchanges of airstrikes between the United States and Iran, as well as the emergence of a new Red Sea front involving Yemen's Houthis and Saudi Arabia.