Saudi king invites PM Sudani to Gaza, Lebanon summit

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani on Sunday received an invitation from Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud to discuss the developments in Gaza and Lebanon in a summit amid simmering regional tensions. 

The Arab-Islamic summit in Riyadh “will focus on the developments in Gaza and Lebanon and the ongoing Zionist aggression,” said a statement from Sudani’s office. 

The invitation was delivered in a meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Iraq Abdulaziz al-Shammari. 

“The meeting included discussions on strengthening bilateral relations and exploring opportunities for development across various sectors, including political and economic areas,” Sudani’s office said about the meeting with Shammari. 

“The importance of coordinating positions and addressing current challenges to promote mutual benefits and serve the interests of both nations” was discussed, according to the statement. 

In September, Sudani held bilateral meetings with world leaders and officials on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York in a bid to strengthen Baghdad’s position internationally. 

On Friday, Sudani met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in an unannounced visit to Istanbul and discussed alternatives to recent regional developments. Both leaders urged Arab and Islamic countries, as well as the UN and international NGOs, to support efforts to achieve a ceasefire. 

Palestinian Hamas militants launched a large-scale incursion into southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing more than 1,170 people, according to Israeli figures. Israel responded with a massive ongoing offensive in Gaza, killing over 40,000 people, mostly civilians, according to the Palestinian health ministry.

The deadly war has spilled over to neighboring Lebanon, where its Hezbollah movement has fired missiles and used explosive-laden drones to attack Israeli targets.

Iraq is at the forefront of regional countries defending against Israeli attacks, and Baghdad has sent several rounds of aid to the Gaza Strip. Pro-Iran Iraqi militia groups have launched numerous rocket and drone attacks against Israel.