Saudi deputy DM arrives in Baghdad

Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Defence Minister, Prince Khalid Bin Salman, arrived in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, on an official visit yesterday.

In a tweet, Prince Khalid, who was accompanied by a high-ranking Saudi delegation, said he met with Iraqi President Barham Salih, Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi, Parliamentary Speaker Mohammed Al-Halbousi and Defence Minister Juma Anad Al-Juburi.

Prince Khalid added: “The kingdom will stand by its brotherly Iraqi state”, calling their relations an “inexhaustible partnership”, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

I also met with H.E Prime Minister @MAKadhimi, H.E Speaker @AlHaLboosii, and Defense Minister Juma Anad Al Juburi, and discussed our distinguished and brotherly relationship as well as issues of mutual interests to both our countries. pic.twitter.com/QPmecLLbvL

— Khalid bin Salman خالد بن سلمان (@kbsalsaud) May 11, 2021

Relations between Riyadh and Baghdad have improved in recent years, leading Saudi Arabia to reopen its embassy in the Iraqi capital. Border crossings between the two states were also reopened in November last year for the first time in 30 years.

Iraq has hosted more than one round of dialogue between Saudi Arabia and its rival Iran in recent months.

READ: Saudi talks with Iran to ‘deescalate tension’ in the region