Iraqi PM visit to Iran, KSA to start today: Exclusive
Senior Iraqi sources tell Al Mayadeen that Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi's visit to Iran and Saudi Arabia will start today following a precise schedule and agenda.
Iraqi premier Mustafa al-Kadhimi's visit to Iran and Saudi Arabia will kick off today, and he will be heading a senior delegation, sources familiar with the matter told Al Mayadeen on Saturday.
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."
The visit, the sources confirmed, has no internal implications, "and all the talk going around about the formation of a new government is untrue."
"Al-Kadhimi's visit to Tehran and Riyadh has a set agenda, and its goal is to establish communication with foreign parties to serve the interest of Iraq and enhance its regional and international role and presence," the sources clarified.
Sources had told Al Mayadeen earlier today that al-Kadhimi would soon visit the two countries successively.
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.