SULAIMANI (ESTA) — The President of Iraq received the Saudi Ambassador on Tuesday in Baghdad, where the official highlighted Iraqi-Saudi “historical” ties.
President Latif Rashid received the Saudi Ambassador to Iraq, Abdul al-Aziz al-Shammari, Iraqi News Agency (INA) reported.
In a meeting, The President stressed “the depth of the historical ties between Iraq and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and continued perpetuation at the same pace in order to achieve the interests of the two countries and contribute to supporting the security and stability of the region,” it added.
Meanwhile, the Saudi Ambassador referred to “the Kingdom’s keenness to strengthen communication mechanisms with Iraq in various fields,” according to INA.
The Ambassador further expressed his “thanks to the President of the Republic for his support for all efforts aimed at consolidating the foundations of constructive cooperation between the two countries in service of the aspirations of the two brotherly peoples for development and prosperity.”
During the 1990s, Iraqi-Saudi relations were at odds as a result of the former Iraqi regime’s invasion of Kuwait under Sadam Hussain’s order. Saudi Arabia cut diplomatic relations with Iraq and closed its Baghdad embassy following the invasion.
However, in recent years, Iraqi-Saudi relations have developed rapidly. Iraq has been mediating between regional rivals, Iran and Saudi Arabia.
Iraq, a neighbor to both countries, has hosted five rounds of talks over the past year aimed at restoring ties between Sunni Muslim Saudi Arabia, and Shia-majority Iran.
