Al-Arabi newspaper reported that Washington prevented Saudi Minister Thamer al-Sbahan from making statements on Iraqi affairs, while an Iraqi official confirmed that al-Sabhan was no longer the welcome person in Iraqi affairs.

The newspaper quoted the official as saying that "statements by Saudi Minister Thamir al-Sbahan on the Iraqi political issue is no longer desirable," noting that "Washington asked him to remain silent and not comment on the Iraqi issue, the fact that his remarks have a negative impact, especially as a character not welcomed by Arab entities Sunni and Shiite since he was ambassador to Riyadh in Baghdad. "

The Secretary of State for Arab Gulf Affairs and the former Saudi ambassador to Iraqcommented on a chant for the leader of the Sadrist movement, Moqtada al-Sadr, about the victory of his list of elections. He said: "You really, "(Change) towards Iraq raises Pierre (Victory) independence and Arabism and (identity) and bless Iraq to you."

The official, who works in the office of Prime Minister Haider Abadi, said that "the statements and comments of Minister Al-Subhan on Twitter and in the local newspapers raise sensitivity inside Iraq, especially as it tries to create an impression that Saudi Arabia has a role in what is going on in Iraq today, which is absolutely untrue," adding that " Sabhan is no longer a welcome figure in Iraqi affairs, not only from Shiite forces, but even Sunni and Kurdish. "

"The Americans also consider that his intervention and repeated hints of Arab nationalism are giving the impression that the target is the Iranians, not the Iraqis, and this creates negative shipments in the way of reaching a quick and appropriate Iraqi government for the fragile security phase in Iraq."

Thamer al-Sbahan, 51, is the secretary of state for Arab Gulf affairs, a former military attaché in Lebanon and an ambassador to Iraq before Baghdad asked the Saudi government to replace him because of "sectarian" statements.