Saudi Arabia backs Iraq reconstruction efforts, says Foreign Minister Al-Jubeir

JEDDAH: Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir said on Friday that the Kingdom has worked to strengthen relations with Iraq in many areas.
“Iraq has a very important role in the Arab world and we support reconstruction efforts there,” he said in Brussels at the Egmont Royal Institute for International Relations.
Saudi Arabia recently pledged $1.5 billion of financial support for reconstruction efforts in Iraq after the war to defeat Daesh. Ties with Baghdad improved last year with a series of high-level Iraqi officials visiting Saudi Arabia.
Al-Jubeir also spoke about the situation in Syria, where a relentless regime bombardment of an opposition-held territory near Damascus has killed more than 400 people this week.
Saudi Arabia on Thursday called for a halt to the attack on Eastern Ghouta.
“We seek to restore stability to Syria and support the Geneva resolutions for a peaceful solution,” Al-Jubeir said on Friday.
Syrian regime head Bashar Assad has been backed militarily by Iran and Russia, and their support has given him the upper hand in the conflict.
Arab countries say that Iran is using proxy militias in Syria and elsewhere in the region to expand its influence.
Al-Jubeir said Iran is “the single biggest threat to the region and perhaps to the world,” and that Iranian-backed militias play a negative role in the region.
Speaking about the situation in Yemen, where Iran backs Houthi militias against the legitimate government, he said: “It is complex and we did not seek war there.”
He also said the Houthis have “repeatedly undermined efforts to reach a solution in Yemen.”
Saudi Arabia leads an Arab military coalition fighting to restore the government to full control of the country.
Al-Jubeir also said that Saudi Arabia has opened channels to deliver aid to Yemen to alleviate the humanitarian tragedy there.
The foreign minister again called on Qatar to cease its support for terrorism and its “intervention in the affairs of neighboring countries.”
“The crisis with Qatar is very small compared to challenges in the region,” he said.