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Saudi Arabia prepares to re-open embassy in Iraq for first time since 1990 closure

Saudi Arabia has not had an embassy located inside Iraq since Riyadh severed diplomatic ties with Baghdad after former Iraqi in 1990 after former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait.

By JC Finley
The Saudi Arabian embassy in Washington, DC, on October 12, 2011. UPI/Kevin Dietsch
1 of 2 | The Saudi Arabian embassy in Washington, DC, on October 12, 2011. UPI/Kevin Dietsch | License Photo

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Dec. 12 (UPI) -- Saudi Arabia has begun the process of re-establishing a diplomatic presence inside Iraq.

Riyadh appointed a non-resident ambassador to Iraq in 2012 but has not had an embassy located inside Iraq since Riyadh severed diplomatic ties with Baghdad in 1990 after former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait.

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Initial steps toward reopening the embassy include selecting a location in Baghdad, Saudi Foreign Ministry spokesman Ambassador Osama Naqli told Asharq Al-Awsat.

"A technical, non-political, delegation will visit Iraq to check the available locations in Baghdad's Green Zone area, according to an agreement with the Iraqi side," Naqli said, noting that the delegation was expected to leave within a few weeks.

It is unclear when the embassy would be operational.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al Faisal said in November that the reopening might be "sooner than you imagine."

Naqil cautioned against setting a firm date, saying Wednesday that the "opening date depends on choosing the location of and preparing the embassy."

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