Iraq and Saudi Arabia discuss security cooperation

RIYADH: Iraq’s Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhhimi held talks with Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdul Aziz bin Saud bin Naif on Saturday.
During the meeting, they discussed security cooperation between Baghdad and Riyadh, and ways of developing it in various security fields, especially combating terrorism.
The Saudi minister conveyed greetings of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and their wishes for the Iraqi government and people continued progress and prosperity.
Prince Abdul Aziz arrived at Baghdad International Airport earlier on Saturday on an official visit.
He later met with his Iraqi counterpart Othman Al-Ghanimi where they discussed the challenges surrounding Arab security and regional and global changes.
They agreed that it requires integration between the security services of the two countries and that it is a strategic goal to maintain regional and international security and peace.
Al-Ghanimi said the visit comes as a confirmation of the keenness of both countries’ interior ministries to enhance their levels of security coordination.
He added that broad prospects for coordination were opened between the two countries, including establishing the Saudi-Iraqi Coordination Council, which works to enhance cooperation and partnership between the two sides in all fields, and the opening of the new Arar port, which effectively contributed to raising the level of trade exchange.
Prince Abdul Aziz also met with Mohammed Al-Halbousi, speaker of the Iraqi Parliament, and Qassem Al-Araji, national security adviser.
He later arrived in Qatar, where he was received by his Qatari counterpart Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad.

Iraq and Saudi Arabia discuss security cooperation