Qatar to open embassy in Baghdad

Baghdad: Qatar will open an embassy in Baghdad, Iraq’s foreign minister said on Friday, in the latest sign of improving relations between Gulf Arab countries and Iraq.

Tensions between the Gulf states and Iraq have eased since Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi took office last year.

A rapprochement could help strengthen a regional alliance against Daesh militants who have seized vast areas in both Iraq and neighbouring Syria.

“We have agreed to open the Qatari embassy in Baghdad to begin resuming diplomatic work,” Iraqi Foreign Minister Ebrahim Al Jaafari told a news conference.

Saudi Arabia also signalled its intention to reopen an embassy in Baghdad earlier this year and has invited Al Abadi to visit the kingdom.

Some Gulf states have viewed Iraq as being too close to their main regional rival, Iran.

Al Abadi’s predecessor, Nouri Al Maliki, had accused both Qatar and Saudi Arabia of funding Daesh insurgents.