Sputnik- On February 25, Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia Adel Al-Jubeir made a surprising visit to Iraq. Al-Jubeir�s trip was the first official visit to Iraq by a Saudi foreign minister since 1990 and the first high-level visit since the 2003 United States-led invasion.


At a press-conference, the minister said that the kingdom is seeking to�build a strong relationship with�Iran and both sides have an intention to�take on�joint counterterrorism efforts.


"It's the hope of�the Kingdom of�Saudi Arabia to�build excellent relations between�the two brotherly countries. There are also many shared interests, from�fighting extremism and terrorism [to] opportunities for�investment and trade between�the two countries," Al-Jubeir was quoted as�saying by Al Jazeera.

In an interview with Sputnik Arabic, Ali al Tamimi, an expert in�international law, said that since�1990 ties between�Riyadh and Baghdad have been in�a state of�decay, with�no sign of�improvement.
"This visit was possible due to�efforts by�the Iraqi government at�the Munich Security Conference. Iraq wants to�join forces with�Saudi Arabia in�fighting terrorism. Baghdad is waging war on�terrorism, and neighboring Saudi Arabia could help rebuild the country," al Tamimi said.


The expert also noted that for�Riyadh this visit was also of�regional importance.
"The kingdom wants to�use Iraq to�establish contacts with�Iran. They need some kind of�a mediator to�resolve problems," he said.


At the global level, Saudi Arabia wants to�establish aerial communications and trade with�Iraq.


"Saudi Arabia is not only an important regional player, but�also an influential actor in�the international arena. Riyadh could influence certain global decisions and could help Baghdad defeat terrorism," al Tamimi pointed out.

According to�Hadi Jalu Muri, a "public outcry in�Iraq over�the visit is possible because many believe that Riyadh is among�those responsible for�the plagues Iraq is facing today."

At the same time, he noted, the visit was welcomed by�many in�Iraqi political circles, including by�some Shia movements.

He expressed hope that "many political, economic and security changes" are now likely to�happen in�Iraq.
Finally, the expert suggested that the "US wants Saudi Arabia to�be more involved in�the situation in�Iraq, in�order to�restrict Iranian influence there."


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