Friends reunited: Iraq’s president wraps up Middle East tour with Riyadh visit but problems persist at home
Iraqi President Barham Salih touched down in Saudi Arabia yesterday on the final leg of a five-country tour.
The recently elected leader travelled to Kuwait, the UAE, Jordan and Iran before flying to Riyadh to conclude his first official engagement since he was appointed in October.
Mr Salih’s trip comes at a time of great internal challenges for the Iraqi government and a need for the country to reconnect with old friends.
Iraq’s three-year war against ISIS, its battered economy and aggrieved citizens are only some of the difficulties that Baghdad faces – problems that have been exacerbated by splits within the government.
In February, the Iraqi authorities estimated the country needed $88.2 billion (Dh323.9bn) to rebuild the north after the war against the militant group.
Nine months later, many of the areas that were once under ISIS control still need to be rebuilt.
Saudi Arabia and Iraq have worked on mending ties and rebuilding relationships that became strained after Iraq’s alliance with Iran.
By opening their shared border, pushing for trade and hosting sporting events, Saudi Arabia and Iraq have shown a willingness to reconnect politically and economically.
Former Iraqi prime minister Haider Al Abadi visited Saudi Arabia twice last year, while Riyadh set a target of Dh22.5bn worth of trade with its neighbour over the next 10 years.
In 2015, the opening of a Saudi embassy in Baghdad and consulates in Basra and Najaf marked a shift in policy.
But while Saudi Arabia courted Iraqi leaders behind closed doors at the weekend, its arch-rival Iran made a more public showing by turning out in force at the Baghdad International Fair, a major exhibition event for Iraqi businesses.
An entire hangar was set aside for some of the 60 Iranian companies taking part. If the region’s bitterest rivalry was expected to be on display – last year dozens of Saudi companies also took part – it was an indication of how this is playing out in Iraq. No Saudi companies attended this year.
On Saturday, Mr Salih met Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who called for unity among ethnic and religious groups in Iraq and resistance to what he called foreign interference.
“The only way to counter plots [by Iraq’s enemies] is by strengthening the unity of all Iraqi groups, including Kurds, Arabs, Shiites and Sunnis,” Ayatollah Khamenei said.
“Some governments in the region and outside of it hold a deep grudge against Islam and Iraq, and interfere in Iraq’s internal affairs and they must be strongly resisted.”