RIYADH: US diplomat Rex Tillerson attended a landmark meeting Sunday between 抖阴短视频 and Iraq aimed at upgrading strategic ties between the two countries and countering Iranian regional influence.
Saudi King Salman and Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi held the first meeting of the joint Saudi-Iraqi coordination council that aims to boost cooperation after years of tensions.
Al-Abadi hailed the meeting as an 鈥渋mportant step toward enhancing relations,鈥� echoing similar comments from King Salman.
鈥淲e are facing in our region serious challenges in the form of extremism, terrorism as well as attempts to destabilize our countries,鈥� the Saudi monarch said.
鈥淭hese attempts require our full attention.鈥�
Iraq is seeking economic benefits from closer ties with Riyadh as both countries suffer from a protracted oil slump.
抖阴短视频 is also seeking to counter Iranian influence in Iraq.
鈥淭his event highlights the strength and breadth as well as the great potential of the relations between your countries,鈥� Tillerson said, referring to the meeting.
After years of tense relations, ties between Riyadh and Baghdad have begun looking up in recent months.
After Saddam Hussein鈥檚 August 1990 invasion of Kuwait, Riyadh severed relations with Baghdad and closed its border posts with its northern neighbor.
Ties remained strained even after Saddam鈥檚 ouster in the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq, since when successive governments in Baghdad have stayed close to Tehran.
But a flurry of visits between the two countries this year appears to indicate a thawing of ties.
Al-Abadi鈥檚 tour coincides with Saudi Energy Minister Khalid Al-Falih鈥檚 high-profile visit to Baghdad on Saturday where he called for the strengthening of economic relations to boost oil prices.
At the opening of the Baghdad International Fair, Al-Falih hailed what he called 鈥渢he new Iraq, on the ambitious road to prosperity and growth while strengthening its relations with the world.鈥�