(MENAFN) Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad al-Sudani has stated hope that Iran and Saudi Arabia would soon continue discussions in Baghdad over patching up their differences.
In an interview with the Arabic service of Frace 24, al-Sudani Iraq is firm to carry on mediation between Tehran and Riyadh.
“We felt the serious desire of Iran and Saudi Arabia for Iraq to continue its role of bringing the views of these two countries closer together. We are determined to play this role and we believe that this is the natural role of Iraq - a pioneering role in bringing together opposing points of view,” he added, as reported by Fars News.
The Iraqi prime minister also said, “Our calls continue. We hope to have a meeting soon and resume these discussions in Baghdad with the mediation of Iraq.”
He commented during a trip to France. In an opinion piece for Le Monde before his trip to France, al-Sudani drew the agenda of his administration in numerous fields. In foreign policy, he repeated Iraq’s desire to carry on mediation between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
“Our government intends to be a major driving force in regional diplomacy and political tracks.
This was clearly demonstrated in the Baghdad Conference 2, which was held with the support of President Macron in the Jordanian capital, Amman, recently; since we were keen on Iraq's refusal to use its lands as a springboard to threaten neighboring countries, we demonstrated our rejection at the same time of any encroachments on our lands,” the Iraqi prime minister said, as reported by the official Iraqi News Agency (INA).
He went on to note, “Iraq, through its distinguished relations with its regional surroundings, has become a meeting point for the disparate parties to meet, and it seeks to bridge the distances between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Iran. This is based on our belief that the stability of the region is achieved by overcoming tensions.”
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