Iraqi PM Al Sudani aims to strengthen ties during UK visit

Leader set to meet King Charles III and Prime Minister Keir Starmer

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani will visit the UK to strengthen ties and discuss security and investment. EPA

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani is set to start an official visit to the UK on Monday, aiming to boost ties.

“This visit aims to enhance co-operation between Iraq and the United Kingdom, with the agenda including the signing of agreements and memorandums of understanding in various fields, particularly in economic, investment and security sectors,” according to a statement.

The visit was initially scheduled for last year, but delayed due to the developments in the region, particularly the war in Gaza and Lebanon.

It comes just days after Mr Al Sudani’s one-day visit to Iran, where he met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. There, he discussed the developments in Syria where rebels led by Hayat Tahrir Al Sham toppled president Bashar Al Assad's regime, as well as bilateral ties.

Mr Al Sudani will hold a series of meetings, including with King Charles III and Prime Minister Keir Starmer, as well as discussions with senior British government officials. Talks are also scheduled with representatives of companies and business sectors, alongside seminars and dialogues with specialised research centres.

The Iraqi PM will lead a high-level delegation, comprising ministers, members of parliament, the Governor of Basra, advisers, representatives from the private sector and business leaders and industrialists from various economic sectors, his office added.

The UK has been a strong ally and supporter of Iraq since it took part in the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein. British troops are also part of the US-led International Coalition against ISIS formed in 2014 when the extremist group took over large areas in northern and western Iraq.