Wednesday, 5 May, 2021 - 06:30
Iraqi President Barham Salih meets with White House Coordinator for Middle East and North Africa Affairs Brett McGurk and his accompanying delegation. (Iraqi Presidency) Baghdad - Asharq Al-Awsat
Iraqi President Barham Salih called on Tuesday for limiting regional tensions and considered Iraq’s role essential in facing security and environmental challenges in the region.
Salih spoke during a meeting with a high-ranking US delegation at the Presidential Palace in the first such visit to Baghdad since President Joe Biden reached the White House earlier this year.
Iraq has a balanced policy to limit tension in the region, the President said in a statement.
Diplomats hope direct channels between Tehran and Riyadh will signal a calming of tensions across the Mideast after years of hostilities that have brought the region close to a full-scale conflict
Iraq has hosted more than one round of talks between regional foes Iran and Saudi Arabia, Iraqi President Barham Salih said.
Salih made his remarks during an interview on Wednesday broadcast live online with the Beirut Institute think-tank. He gave no more details.
Diplomats hope the opening of direct channels between Iran and Saudi Arabia will signal a calming of tensions across the Middle East after years of hostilities that have brought the region close to a full-scale conflict.
Baghdad hosted talks between officials from its two neighbours and mutual adversaries on April 9 in the only round of talks to have been previously reported.