“We hope the Iraqi government will be able to provide the protection for missions in Iraq. The important thing for Arabs is to take part in finding solutions to ensure national reconciliation, unity and independence,” he said.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice criticized Arab states at a recent meeting of Iraq’s neighbors in Kuwait for not opening embassies in Baghdad.
No ambassador from any Arab nation has been stationed permanently in Baghdad since Egypt’s envoy was kidnapped and killed in 2005. Militants also targeted Jordanian and UAE missions.
Saudi Arabia announced last year it would reopen its embassy in Baghdad and sent a technical mission to the war-battered country to look into the matter.
“The absence of a Saudi embassy in Baghdad does not mean there is a chill in relations between the two countries,” Prince Saud said.
Iraq reopened its embassy in Saudi Arabia in February 2007 after it had been closed in December 1990 on the eve of the 1991 Gulf War when ties were broken off by Saddam Hussein’s regime.
The two countries restored diplomatic relations in July 2004, a year after the US-led invasion and ouster of the Iraqi dictator.
Prince Saud, who was attending a joint press conference with British Foreign Secretary David Miliband, said all countries which attended a recent meeting of Lebanon’s friends have supported the Arab League plan to solve its political crisis.
Miliband, who is visiting the Kingdom for the first time, said he had fruitful talks with Prince Saud on bilateral and international issues.
He said Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah’s landmark visit to Britain last year was instrumental in boosting Saudi-British ties.
The British minister, who also met with King Abdullah at his Janadriya ranch, praised Saudi Arabia’s efforts to bring about peace in the Middle East. He noted the cooperation between the two countries in fighting terrorism and extremism.
