Muscat: Oman has decided to reopen its embassy in the Iraqi capital Baghdad after it was closed nearly 30 years ago, the official Omani news agency reported late Sunday.
The Gulf country closed its embassy in Baghdad following Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussain’s 1990 invasion of Kuwait.
The Omani Foreign Ministry said that the embassy reopening is based on “fraternal bonds and historical ties” between the two countries.
“The reopening of the Omani embassy will contribute to developing relations between the two countries and the brotherly people in all fields,” the ministry added, according to the agency.
No specific date was given for the embassy reopening.
Iraq has welcomed the Omani step, seeing it as a “positive development of Arab presence” in the country. “It ill
[also] contribute to enhancing joint work,” the Iraqi Foreign Ministry said.
The United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain already have operational embassies in Baghdad.
Gulf countries broke off their diplomatic ties with Iraq in protest against Saddam’s incursion into Kuwait.
Saddam was ousted in a 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq.
In recent years, ties have markedly improved between Gulf countries and Iraq, including neighbouring Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
Iraq has recently shown keenness on promoting links with the Arab countries after years of strains over Iran’s influence there.
Iraq is seeking financial support for reconstruction of large areas devastated in the fighting against Daesh terrorists, who in 2014 seized vast chunks of its territory. Baghdad declared in December 2017 victory over the terrorist group.
