By GHAZANFAR ALI KHAN | ARAB NEWS
RIYADH: In a major move to boost political and diplomatic relations with Iraq, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has appointed veteran diplomat Fahd Abdul Mohsen Al-Zaid as the first Saudi ambassador to Iraq after a gap of about 16 years, it was confirmed on Tuesday.
Al-Zaid, who is currently serving as the Kingdom’s Ambassador to Jordan, will be a non-resident ambassador flying regularly from Amman to Baghdad to discharge his diplomatic duties.
“Al-Zaid is a career diplomat, who has been serving as ambassador to Jordan for the last three years,” said Alauddin Al-Askary, deputy foreign minister for diplomatic affairs, in Riyadh on Tuesday. Al-Askary pointed out that this is an important appointment that demonstrates the importance Riyadh attaches to its relationship with Iraq. The appointment comes just a few weeks after Saudi Arabia and Iraq decided to put on hold the execution of Saudi and Iraqi prisoners.
Al-Askary pointed out that there is a functioning Iraqi Embassy in Riyadh headed by a full-fledged ambassador. On the question of issues that need to be resolved between Riyadh and Baghdad on a priority basis, another official said that there are a few other bilateral and regional issues of common concerns to be discussed and resolved by the two sides. He said Riyadh is keen on strengthening its ties with Iraq, a country keen to approve the nomination of the non-resident Saudi ambassador immediately.
Categories: Asia, Iraq, Saudi Arabia