No change in Saudi policies on Iraq: Envoy

Iraq’s move reportedly came after Ambassador Al-Sabhan’s comments about Iranian involvement in Iraqi affairs and the alleged persecution of Sunni Muslims angered politicians and militia leaders.

In recent days, Al-Sabhan repeatedly spoke of a “terrorist plot” to assassinate him after a Shiite militia leader, Aws Al-Khafaji, said in an interview with a local Iraqi channel that killing the envoy would be an “honor.”

Al-Sabhan, responding to messages expressing solidarity with him after the Iraqi announcement, tweeted: “I am a servant of the Saudi leadership which is seeking to assist the truth and the well-being of Muslims, may God preserve it.”

Iyad Allawi, former Iraqi prime minister and head of Iraqi National Accord, said that Ambassador Al-Sabhan blamed only the armed militias and not the Iraqi government.

Allawi said that the ambassador would not have spoken about a plot to assassinate him if he did not have evidence. The former premier suggested that an investigation should be carried out by someone other than the Iraqi government.

Saudi Arabia has always wanted the best for Iraq and its people, said Allawi. He denied allegations that Saudi Arabia interfered in Iraqi affairs. Allawi said that it was normal for the two countries to have political differences.