Emir of Qatar in Baghdad on Official Visit

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani shakes hands with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani during a welcome ceremony, in Baghdad, Iraq June 15, 2023. (Iraqi Prime Minister Media Office/Handout via Reuters)
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani shakes hands with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani during a welcome ceremony, in Baghdad, Iraq June 15, 2023. (Iraqi Prime Minister Media Office/Handout via Reuters)
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Emir of Qatar in Baghdad on Official Visit

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani shakes hands with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani during a welcome ceremony, in Baghdad, Iraq June 15, 2023. (Iraqi Prime Minister Media Office/Handout via Reuters)
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani shakes hands with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani during a welcome ceremony, in Baghdad, Iraq June 15, 2023. (Iraqi Prime Minister Media Office/Handout via Reuters)

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani arrived in Baghdad on Thursday on an official visit to discuss regional political matters and enhance bilateral relations, the government said in a statement.

Qatar's Emir is visiting Baghdad on an invitation by the Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani, said a government spokesman, Basim al-Awadi.

During Sheikh Tamim’s visit, Iraq and Qatar will sign memorandums of understanding (MOUs) to expand cooperation on investment and energy projects, Awadi said.

Qatar is interested in having a major investment role in a $17 billion road and rail project to link Asia and Europe, he said.

Iraq launched a mega-project last month to link a major commodities port on its southern coast by rail and roads to the border with Türkiye, in a move designed to transform the country's economy after decades of war and crisis.

Talks will also focus on involvement of Qatari energy companies in investing in Iraq's gas projects and an MoU will be signed in relation to this issue, said a government adviser with knowledge of the visit agenda.



Saudi FM Meets Somali Counterpart in Riyadh

Prince Faisal bin Farhan received Somali Foreign Minister Ahmed Maalim Faqi at the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Riyadh on Sunday (Saudi Press Agency)
Prince Faisal bin Farhan received Somali Foreign Minister Ahmed Maalim Faqi at the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Riyadh on Sunday (Saudi Press Agency)
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Saudi FM Meets Somali Counterpart in Riyadh

Prince Faisal bin Farhan received Somali Foreign Minister Ahmed Maalim Faqi at the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Riyadh on Sunday (Saudi Press Agency)
Prince Faisal bin Farhan received Somali Foreign Minister Ahmed Maalim Faqi at the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Riyadh on Sunday (Saudi Press Agency)

Prince Faisal bin Farhan, the Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, met on Sunday in Riyadh with his Somali counterpart, Ahmed Maalim Faqi Ahmed, where they discussed regional and international developments and matters of joint interest.

The two officials also reviewed the bilateral relations between their countries and explored ways to strengthen them in various fields.