Iraq PM to visit Saudi Arabia next week

Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi. Photo: PMO Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) — Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is expected to visit Saudi Arabia next week after international, regional, and domestic mediation efforts helped ease tensions between Baghdad and Riyadh, according to a report published Monday by a local news agency, citing an informed source. The source said the diplomatic contacts over recent days succeeded in improving relations between the two countries, paving the way for the prime minister’s previously postponed visit. According to the report, al-Zaidi’s visit will focus on security cooperation, economic relations, and investment opportunities. The source also claimed Saudi Arabia intends to present the Iraqi prime minister with evidence it says shows that attacks targeting the Kingdom originated from Iraqi territory. The reported visit comes days after al-Zaidi, who also serves as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, reiterated that Iraq will not allow its territory to be used to threaten neighboring countries. He also announced the formation of a joint security committee tasked with preventing future cross-border attacks and strengthening measures against potential violations. Last Wednesday, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that American and Saudi warplanes had carried out precision strikes against weapons and logistics sites in eastern Iraq. CENTCOM said the targets belonged to Iran-linked armed groups responsible for attacks against Saudi Arabia. Following those strikes, al-Zaidi postponed a planned visit to Riyadh that had been scheduled for the following day. The Iraqi government has not officially announced the date of the reported visit or confirmed the details cited by the source.