Manama: Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Iraq Thamer Al Sabhan has not been removed and he is still holding his post in the capital Baghdad, diplomatic sources have said.
“He is the ambassador to Iraq and there have been no directives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to appoint him as Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Lebanon as reported on social media,” the sources were quoted by Saudi news site Sabq as saying on Wednesday.
The Saudi military attaché in Germany, Brigadier Abdul Aziz Al Shammari, was appointed deputy to the ambassador in Iraq, the sources added, stressing that the appointment was made three months ago.
The sources denied reports that Al Shammari was appointed ambassador to replace Al Sabhan who had presented his credentials to the Iraqi president in January as the first Saudi ambassador in Baghdad after a hiatus of more than 25 years caused by the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in August 1990.
However, statements about the power and threats of Iran-backed militias in Iraq have made his presence in the country “undesirable” for radical groups hostile to Saudi Arabia.
The statements culminated in late August when Al Sabhan said he was provided with information about plans to assassinate him and that sectarian radical groups were behind the threats.
Iraq reacted by officially asking Saudi Arabia to withdraw Al Sabhan.
“The Iraqi foreign ministry has sent an official request to the Saudi foreign ministry to replace its ambassador to Iraq,” ministry spokesman Ahmad Jamal said.
“Several statements and opinions voiced in the media overstepped the boundaries of diplomatic protocol and of an ambassador’s duties.”
He added that Baghdad was “very keen” on developing relations with Saudi Arabia as “a good neighbour.”
“The call to replace the ambassador will not affect, from our side, the present or future of these relations, and in fact, we look forward to positive developments,” Jamal said.
However, Al Sabhan said he was surprised by the Iraqi reaction towards an Arab country despite the interference of Iran in its domestic affairs.
“Some components of Iraqi society may have been upset by my recent remarks to the media, but they do not represent the Iraqi people. We have received all love and compassion from the Iraqi people who are keen on cooperation between Riyadh and Baghdad. We do appreciate that some of them suffer from the interference of military advisers from countries in the region in their internal affairs.”
The ambassador said Saudi Arabia’s policy towards Iraq would remain steady and would not be affected by the request to replace him.
“Saudi Arabia will not change its convictions and will not give up on the Arabism of Iraq,” Al Sabhan said. “Saudi Arabia will intensify its efforts to achieve the welfare of honourable Iraqis. The ambassador represents the policy of his country, and not his person,” Al Sabhan told London-based Saudi daily Al Sharq Al Awsat.
Citing sources it did not identify, the daily said the decision by the Iraqi government to ask for Al Sabhan’s replacement was taken without consulting Iraqi ministers or the parliament.
Dhafer Al Aani, an Iraqi lawmaker and member of the foreign relations commission, said the Iraqi government did not have ample arguments to request the withdrawal of the Saudi ambassador.
“The latest statement attributed to the ambassador was a response to the provocation to his person and to Saudi Arabia from parties that do not wish to see relations between Saudi Arabia and Iraq improve in any way,” he said. “Has the Iraqi government held anyone accountable for the provocative statements? The government should reconsider its decision, especially that it was taken without consulting anyone. Iraq should be truly keen on establishing outstanding relations with Saudi Arabia. The recall request was not a cordial decision, especially that we exerted huge efforts to reopen the Saudi embassy in Baghdad after a long absence.”
