Iraq asks Saudi Arabia to replace envoy
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 28 August 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Iraq asks Saudi Arabia to replace envoy, 28 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57db9a604.html [accessed 31 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
August 28, 2016
Iraq says it has requested Saudi Arabia to replace its ambassador in Baghdad.
Iraqi Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Jamal said on August 28 that Baghdad's Shi'ite-led government sent a formal request to Riyadh to replace the Sunni-ruled kingdom's ambassador, Thamer al-Sabhan.
The move comes after Sabhan was quoted as saying that Iraqi intelligence provided him with information about a plot to assassinate him.
He allegedly said this was happening as Saudi Arabia's regional rival, Iran, tries to block reform efforts in Iraq and other Arab countries.
Jamal said Sabhan's comments were untrue and harm relations between the two countries.
Sabhan has also been calling on Iraq's government to exclude Shi'ite paramilitary groups from its military campaign against the Islamic State militant group.
Saudi Arabia reopened its embassy in Baghdad in December after keeping it shut since the 1990 Iraqi invasion of Kuwait.
Based on reporting by Reuters and AP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
