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 Receives Phone Call from Japanese Counterpart

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Saudi FM Receives Phone Call from Japanese Counterpart

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received a phone call from Japan’s Foreign Minister, Iwaya Takeshi, with whom he discussed ties between the two countries, the Saudi Press Agency said on Monday.
Discussions also touched on the latest developments in Gaza, and efforts exerted to address the situation amid Israel's over one-year war on the Strip.