Saudi Leadership Renews Invitation for Iraqi PM to Visit Riyadh

Iraqi PM's Media Office

Iraqi PM Ali al-Zaidi.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Falih al-Zaidi received on Friday a renewed invitation to visit Riyadh as he held talks with Saudi intelligence chief Khalid bin Ali Al Humaidan, according to statement by the Iraqi PM's media office.

Al-Zaidi met on Friday with the Head of the General Intelligence Presidency of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Khalid bin Ali Al-Humaidan, and his accompanying delegation.

Al-Humaidan conveyed a message from the Saudi leadership renewing the invitation for the Prime Minister to visit the Saudi capital, Riyadh, according to the statement from the PM's media office.

The meeting addressed ways to strengthen coordination and joint cooperation regarding regional security developments.

“The Iraqi government committed to strengthening relations of cooperation with the Kingdom in a manner that serves the shared interests of the two brotherly countries and peoples and contributes to supporting regional security and stability,” the Prime Minister affirmed.

al-Zaidi reiterated “the government’s firm position on protecting Iraq’s sovereignty and the interests of its people, and on preventing Iraqi territory from being used as a launching point for any acts or activities that may affect any other country, in fulfillment of its constitutional responsibilities and its commitment to the principles of good neighborliness and respect for the sovereignty of brotherly and friendly countries.”

The two sides agreed on “the importance of continuing security coordination and the exchange of information between the competent authorities in a manner that strengthens their ability to address any security challenges and contributes to taking appropriate measures within legal frameworks, thereby serving the security of both countries, strengthening mutual trust, and protecting the region from the risks of escalation.”

Al-Zaidi was scheduled to visit Riyadh in late July, but the trip was cancelled due to the strikes which killed 20 members of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) on 29 July.

The U.S.-Saudi strikes came after Riyadh said its forces had intercepted drones targeting oil facilities, blaming Iran-backed groups in Iraq. They also followed growing U.S. pressure on Baghdad to disarm pro-Iran armed groups, which targeted U.S. facilities hundreds of times during the Middle East war.

The Iraqi government has long said it rejects the use of its territory to launch attacks on neighbouring countries.

On Thursday, Iraqi authorities said they boosted security measures along the borders and throughout the country.

Two security sources told AFP that security measures were put in place to prevent a response to the U.S.-Saudi strikes.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an alliance of Tehran-backed groups, had vowed to retaliate to the U.S.-Saudi strikes.

But on Friday, it announced that it has decided "to postpone the response that was scheduled for today" following a call from the leader of Badr organisation, Hadi al-Amri, also citing the "honourable stances" of other political leaders.

Al-Zaidi's government has given those groups -- which Washington designates terrorist organisations -- until 30 September to disarm.

Washington and Tehran are Iraq's main allies, but their enmity has long turned the country into a proxy battleground and left successive governments struggling to maintain a delicate balance between the foes.



PUKMEDIA