Saudi Arabia's intelligence chief met Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and renewed an invitation for him to visit Riyadh, following the earlier cancellation of a trip after deadly US-Saudi strikes on Iraq on July 29.
Key facts
- Saudi Arabia's intelligence chief met with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi.
- The Saudi official renewed an invitation for al-Zaidi to visit Riyadh.
- Al-Zaidi had cancelled an earlier planned Saudi trip.
- The cancellation followed deadly US-Saudi strikes on Iraq on July 29.
Saudi Arabia’s intelligence chief has met with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and renewed an invitation for the Iraqi leader to visit Riyadh, according to Al Jazeera.
The renewed invitation comes after al-Zaidi had cancelled an earlier planned trip to Saudi Arabia. That cancellation followed deadly US-Saudi strikes on Iraq on July 29, according to Al Jazeera.
The meeting signals an apparent effort to maintain diplomatic contact between Riyadh and Baghdad despite the recent tensions surrounding the strikes.
The renewal of the invitation suggests both sides remain interested in a future high-level visit, though no new date for such a trip was reported.
Why it matters
Relations between Saudi Arabia and Iraq are closely watched as a barometer of regional stability in the Middle East. The renewed invitation, coming shortly after deadly strikes prompted a cancelled visit, points to continuing diplomatic engagement despite friction between the two countries.
Frequently asked questions
Why did the Iraqi prime minister cancel his earlier Saudi trip?
According to Al Jazeera, Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi cancelled an earlier Saudi trip after deadly US-Saudi strikes on Iraq on July 29.
What did the Saudi intelligence chief do during the meeting?
According to Al Jazeera, the Saudi intelligence chief met with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and renewed an invitation for him to visit Riyadh.