Guardian: Sadr's visit to Saudi Arabia will reduce the role of Iran in Iraq

Guardian: Sadr's visit to Saudi Arabia will reduce the role of Iran in Iraq

 Translation / Hamid Ahmed

Iraq and Saudi Arabia are negotiating a new alliance that would give Riyadh a leading role in the reconstruction of Iraq's war-damaged cities while boosting Iraq's status across the region.
Meetings between senior officials from both sides over the past six months focused on directing Iraq away from its powerful neighbor and the rival of the old Saudi, Iran, whose involvement in Iraqi affairs has grown dramatically since the overthrow of Saddam Hussein in 2003.
Iraq and Saudi Arabia were feuding, but a visit by Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr to Riyadh last week, followed by his visit to the United Arab Emirates, further strengthened relations that had already improved with high-level reciprocal visits between the two countries.
Sadr's arrival in the Saudi capital highlights a new level of activity in which Riyadh may play an important role in the reconstruction of Iraq's predominantly Sunni cities of Mosul, Falluja, Ramadi and Tikrit.
"This visit is an important step in ensuring Iraq's return to the Arab class, which is also supported by brotherly partners," said former Saudi minister of state Saad al-Jabri in an interview with the Guardian.
"An expanded rapprochement between Riyadh and Baghdad allows for stronger regional support for Iraq, especially from the Gulf states," al-Jabri said.
It is believed that the cost of rebuilding Iraq with its four Sunni provinces is estimated at more than $ 100 billion, the focus of hopes for a national reconstruction campaign in a country where more than two-thirds of its population are Shiites.
"It is also worth mentioning that Sadr's visit was characterized by my operations and resulted in some urgent benefits ranging from reopening the border crossing between the two countries and supporting the internally displaced to the possible naming of a new ambassador and the opening of a consulate in Najaf. Strategic relationship between the two countries of mutual benefit. "
In Baghdad, where positions towards Saudi Arabia were openly hostile throughout the war on the duel, on charges of supporting the militants have calmed recently.
"Relations have now developed more than ever, thanks to the new US administration in helping Saudi Arabia and the Gulf countries to rebuild their relations with the rest of the region," said Abdul Bari Zebari, head of the Iraqi parliament's foreign affairs committee. Regional, this may be a smart move indeed on behalf of Arab countries and foreign countries. "
Senior officials in Riyadh see an opportunity to rebuild Sunni areas in Iraq as part of broader moves to curb Iran and establish the kingdom as a post-Saddam power.
"The situation in Iraq concerns the entire region in security, economic and political terms, and for this reason it is natural for the Saudi leadership to look for ways in its foreign policy to support Iraq at this critical time," he said. Muqtada al-Sadr is a respected leader with significant influence, and he understands that the future of Iraq lies within the Arab world and that he has always expressed concern about Iran's growing influence in Iraq. "

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