Baghdad- Thamer al-Sabhan, Saudi Ambassador to Iraq, asserted that diplomatic ties between both the Kingdom and Iraq, despite being cut before, are of substantial value to Saudi Arabia, and that people of Iraq and Saudis have not severed their ties.

Ambassador al-Sabhan stressed that Iraq has been always taking a fair share of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman’s attention and concern.

“Both countries work towards the best interest and progress of both their people”, the Saudi Ambassador said.

Al-Sabhan, on Tuesday, in his first statement to an Arabian newspaper since his appointment, told Asharq Al-Awsat that “Iraq is an extension to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and vice versa. The roots tying both our people together are significant and special to whatever brings us close to any other country. What pleases them pleases us, and what harms them also harms us in return”.

“We are here to lend out a loving hand of peace and cooperation to our fellow Iraqi brothers, and if God wills, we will establish positive relations with the great people of Iraq whom we appreciate, find pride in, and love”, Ambassador al-Sabhan added.

Al-Sabhan explained that what restored diplomatic relations between the two countries was the determination of the Saudi and Iraqi leaderships, in addition to Iraq’s concern in perpetuating its relation with Saudi Arabia for its importance on the Arab and Islamic levels. He further indicated that with Saudi Arabia’s openness to Iraq and the Iraqi people and with the presence of its embassy, the two countries will become closer.

The Saudi ambassador added that relations between Iraq and Saudi Arabia are historical. Starting since the reign of King Abdul Aziz, this bond continued during the eras of kings who ruled the Kingdom, until today’s reign of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdul Aziz, he said. He also stated that all the kings adopted the same approach and worked on perpetuating relations with their Arab brothers, assuring Iraq’s leading position given that it serves a geographic, historical, and Islamic extension for Saudi Arabia.