Iraqi deputy PM in Riyadh as neighbors watch Kadhimi's moves

Saudi Arabia has announced that it will be sending back its ambassador to Baghdad as Riyadh seeks closer ties with Iraq following the defeat of the Daesh terrorist group.

Iraqi officials have frequently accused Riyadh of aiding Daesh. In 2016, Iraq's former ambassador to the UN, Mohammad Ali al-Hakim, accused Saudi Arabia of financing the Daesh terrorist group.

The announcement on Saturday was made by Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan after meeting Ali Allawi, Iraq's deputy premier and acting minister of finance and oil, who was in Riyadh on an official visit, according to the Saudi Gazette newspaper.

“This comes in order to reflect the kingdom’s desire to strengthen relations between the two countries,” Faisal said.

The Saudi minister said the kingdom supports Iraq's efforts to achieve security and stability and counter terrorism, and that Riyadh respects Iraq's sovereignty without foreign interference.

According to reports, the Iraqi minister also met Saudi Minister of Commerce Majed al-Qasabi and Finance Minister Mohammad al-Jadaan and discussed ways to bolster financial and trade cooperation between the two countries.

The two sides touched on a host of issues related to land border checkpoints, customs and partnership between the private and public sectors, the report said.

The Iraqi delegation's visit to Saudi Arabia is the first foreign trip by any of new Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi's cabinet ministers and is watched closely by observers.

SS