Jeddah – Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz will meet Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Wednesday in Jeddah.

Saudi Arabia’s Arab Gulf Affairs Minister Thamer al-Sabhan told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that the meeting would see discussions over bilateral relations and regional developments.

Abadi’s official trip to Saudi Arabia comes following a visit conducted by Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir to Baghdad on February 25.

An official at the Iraqi foreign ministry said the two countries were holding “honest” discussions over regional matters and they were seeking to further boost bilateral relations.

In earlier remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper, Nizar Khairallah, the first deputy of the Iraqi foreign ministry, said that the two countries were facing common challenges, including the fight against terrorism.

He underlined in this regard the importance of bilateral cooperation between Baghdad and Riyadh to bolster intelligence efforts.

Khairallah noted the presence of shared interests in opening the land borders between the two countries, as well as resuming the direct flight routes between the two capitals.