Iraqi PM holds talks with Saudi king in Riyadh

By Ibrahim Saleh, Arif Yusuf and Ali Jawad</p> <p>BAGHDAD (AA) – Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi held talks with Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz in Riyadh on Wednesday, during which the two leaders stressed the need for improved relations, according to a subsequent statement released by Abdul-Mahdi’s office.</p> <p>Abdul-Mahdi’s visit to Riyadh — the first of its kind since he assumed office six months ago — “reflects the Iraqi government’s desire for enhanced relations with the [Saudi] kingdom in all fields,” the statement read.</p> <p>Wednesday’s meeting was also attended by a number of prominent Saudi personalities, including members of the royal family, officials and businessmen.</p> <p>The Saudi king, for his part, voiced his satisfaction with “the recent development and stability seen in Iraq”.</p> <p>Before setting out for Riyadh earlier Wednesday, Abdul-Mahdi had told reporters that Iraq was preparing for a “major shift” in its formal relations with Saudi Arabia.</p> <p>The oil-rich kingdom’s relations with Iraq were suspended following the latter’s invasion of Kuwait in 1990.</p> <p>They were restored after the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, but Baghdad’s continued close ties with Iran — Riyadh’s arch-rival in the region — served to keep relations frosty.</p> <p>Iraq-Saudi relations picked up, however, during former Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi’s period in office from 2014 to 2018.</p> <p>Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia finally reopened its consulate in Baghdad.