Iraq's Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi said that preserving the security of Saudi Arabia serves Baghdad's interests in the region.
During a visit to the Kingdom following attacks on its oil infrastructure, which the US has blamed on Iran, Mr Abdul Mahdi met with King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
“Iraq is keen on preserving the securing and stability of Saudi Arabia,” he said, according to a statement published by Iraq’s news agency said.
رئيس مجلس الوزراء السيد عادل عبد المهدي يلتقي ولي العهد السعودي الأمير محمد بن سلمان. pic.twitter.com/223RwXVeEB
— المكتب الإعلامي لرئيس الوزراء 🇮🇶 (@IraqiPMO) September 25, 2019
"The meeting dealt with regional developments, particularly the sabotage attacks on Saudi Aramco plants in Abqaiq and Khurais, stressing Iraq's keenness on maintaining the security and stability of the Kingdom."
The drone attacks earlier this month knocked out almost 50 per cent of Saudi Arabia's oil production, and escalated tension in the region amid a standoff between the US and Iran.
Although Yemen's Houthi rebels claimed responsibility, Washington said Tehran was behind the attacks that risked disrupting global oil supplies and amounted to "an act of war".
Iraq is caught between its two main allies, Iran and the US.
Iraqi Oil Minister Thamer Al Ghadban accompanied Mr Abdul Mahdi and separately held talks with his Saudi counterpart Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, SPA reported.
Baghdad is concerned with deepening and enhancing its ties with Saudi Arabia and the region, Ala Talabani, a member of the Iraqi parliament, said.
"The attacks on Saudi Arabia's oil facilities was a dangerous development and we want to be a bridge for securing stability and peace," Ms Talabani said.
Mr Abdul Mahdi's visit comes as relations between Riyadh and Baghdad are improving after decades of estrangement.
On Thursday, the foreign ministry in Baghdad issued a statement about Iraq’s top regional priorities, which are to maintain security, peace and stability.
“Iraq is working on improving its relations with neighbouring countries in the region in accordance with the instructions of the prime minister,” the statement said.
The Iraqi government is also seeking closer ties with Jordan and Egypt.
In New York, Iraqi President Barham Salih met with his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Mr Salih stressed the importance of co-operation between the two neighbours to preserve regional stability and confronting extremism and terrorism.
