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Iraq asks Saudi Arabia to replace ambassador

BAGHDAD, August 28, 2016

Iraq's foreign ministry has asked Saudi Arabia to replace its ambassador in Baghdad, Thamer Al-Sabhan, Iraqi state TV said on Sunday.

Iraqi Shi'ite politicians have made persistent requests that Al-Sabhan be expelled in reaction to comments he has made about Iran's involvement in Iraq and claims that Iranian-backed Shi'ite militias were exacerbating tensions with Sunnis.

The Iraqi foreign ministry on Monday denied media reports of plot to kill Al-Sabhan, the first Saudi ambassador appointed after reopening the Saudi embassy in the Iraqi capital in December.

Reacting to the reported request, Al-Sabhan told Al Arabiyah television that the kingdom's policies on Iraq would not change, and Saudi ties with Iraqi politicians were amicable.

"Frankly I tried to fulfill my duties ... Saudi Arabia's policies in Iraq will not change," Al-Sabhan told the Saudi-owned station. "We have a very amicable relationship with Iraqi politicians that the media does not capture."

"This is not personal issue. What I said to media and to all Iraqi politicians in the past is that they are limited because they are under pressure from various sides and from other armies and political advisors." - Reuters




Tags: Saudi Arabia | Iraq |

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