Iraqi PM in Saudi Arabia to promote regional dialogue

Rudaw

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq’s prime minister met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Saturday in Jeddah during an official visit to the kingdom, expected to be aimed at reviving talks between Riyadh and Tehran. 

Iraqi state media had reported hours prior to the visit that Mustafa al-Kadhimi was set to travel to Tehran after the visit to Saudi Arabia, marking his second since he became prime minister in May 2020.

Kadhimi’s office stated that the discussions centered on bilateral relations, as well as “several regional and international issues” and “efforts to consolidate peace and calm in the region,” likely referring to Saudi-Iran talks.

 

Baghdad has been a mediator in talks between regional foes Tehran and Riyadh, aimed at defusing tension and at finding settlement to the war in Yemen which has been labeled as one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters. The conflict between the Saudi-backed government and the Iran-backed rebels has culminated in drone and missile attacks on vital Saudi infrastructure. 

The fifth and last round of talks was held in the Iraqi capital in April before they were suspended amid increasing regional tension. Iraq borders both Iran and Saudi Arabia and has often founds itself in the middle of the two enemies’ proxy warfare.

A source from the prime minister’s cabinet told AFP on Saturday that Kadhimi’s visit to Saudi Arabia was "not related to internal Iraqi political affairs and the talks about the formation of the new government have nothing to do with the visit." 

Months after parliamentary elections, Iraq has been unable to form a new government.