Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki is to ask Russia to write off the remainder of the country`s debt to Moscow during a visit to the Russian capital in April, an Iraqi government spokesman said on Tuesday. "The head of the Iraqi government will discuss writing off the remainder of the debt [to Russia]," Ali Dabbagh said. He also said that the Iraqi premier would discuss Saddam Hussein-era business contracts, as well as efforts to strengthen bilateral ties. After former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein was deposed in 2003, Iraq owed Russia $12.9 billion. However, the Paris Club, of which Russia is a member, subsequently took the decision to write off some 80% of Iraq`s debts at the end of 2004. Moscow then cancelled 93% of Baghdad`s debts.