Several Middle Eastern leaders and French President Emmanuel Macron today (August 28) met in Baghdad during ''Baghdad Conference for Cooperation and Partnership'', being hosted by Iraq, mainly aimed at facilitating discussions with neighbouring countries.

 

Iraq has invited regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran to the summit in bid to calm tensions which have brought them close to open conflict in recent years, reported Reuters.

 

The Baghdad summit comes as part of Iraqi government's efforts to make them talk to each other instead of settling scores on its territory, it stated.

 

Iraq's security has improved in recent years but it is still plagued by big power rivalries and heavily armed militia groups, the report added.

 

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, and his delegation has already arrived in Baghdad where they were received by Iraqi Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Fuad Muhammad Hussein and Saudi Ambassador to Iraq Abdulaziz Al Shammri.

 

Nine Arab and foreign countries, in addition to several regional and international organizations,are taking part. 

 

Early in the day, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, arrived in the Iraqi capital with the UAE delegation. They were welcomed upon arrival at Baghdad International Airport by Mustafa Al Kadhimi, Prime Minister of Iraq, and a group of Iraqi ministers and senior officials.