Iraq PM lands in Saudi in first stop in regional visit

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Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi arrived late Saturday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as part of a regional visit that will also see him going to Iran as part of Baghdad's efforts to bridge Tehran and Riyadh's viewpoints.

"The Prime Minister arrived in Jeddah on an official visit to Saudi Arabia," the Iraqi News Agency (INA) reported, quoting the premier's office.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was among the officials that received Al-Kadhimi in the Saudi city, but no further details have been reported so far.

Sources familiar close to the authorities in Baghdad told Al Mayadeen earlier that premier Mustafa Al-Kadhimi would kick off today his visit to Iran and Saudi Arabia at the head of a senior delegation

The sources explained that Al-Kadhimi’s successive visits to the two countries fall within the framework of the latest talks which were held in Baghdad between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

"The meetings will take place in Riyadh, and Tehran will discuss various key issues regarding the Iraqi mediation to open the diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran," the sources noted. "The Riyadh-Tehran meetings definitely have positive impacts on Iraq, especially in terms of bettering regional partnership and cooperation."

On June 16, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian held a phone conversation with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fouad Hussein during which the latter confirmed that "his country's government is determined to facilitate direct talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran in Baghdad."

Al-Kadhimi revealed in early June that the Iran-Saudi talks taking place in Baghdad had reached advanced stages.