Iraq FM in Iran to invite president to regional conference

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fouad Hussein arrived in the Iranian capital Tehran yesterday to personally deliver an invitation to President Ebrahim Raisi to attend the regional conference planned by Baghdad later this month.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Al-Sahaf said in a statement that Hussein and his accompanying delegation will discuss bilateral issues with Raisi, as well the security situation in the region.

“He will also hand over an invitation from [Iraqi Prime Minister] Mr Al-Kadhimi to President Raisi to attend the summit,” he added.

The minister is accompanied by National Security Adviser Qassem Al-Araji, Director of the Prime Minister’s Office Raed Jouhi, and Head of the Neighbouring Countries Department in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ihsan Al-Awadi.

Baghdad is preparing to host a summit on 28 August which will be attended by the leaders of Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Kuwait, Egypt, France and Turkey.

Iraqi leaders hope a bilateral meeting between Iran and Saudi will also be held on the sidelines of the summit, reports claim.

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