Saudi Arabia’s King Salman holds meeting with Iraq President Barham Salih.

:: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman received Iraq’s new President Barham Saleh on Sunday on his first official visit to the Kingdom.

The king hosted a lunch and “discussed regional developments” with Saleh, the official Saudi Press Agency said, after the Iraqi leader’s arrival in Riyadh following a visit to Iran.

An Iraqi official said Saleh was on an overnight visit at the invitation of King Salman.

There have been several visits in recent months between the two countries as Iraq seeks closer ties with Saudi Arabia as it look to rebuild after the defeat of Daesh.

In October 2017, Saudi Arabian budget airline flynas made the first commercial flight from Riyadh to Baghdad in 27 years.

Meanwhile, Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, Adel Al-Jubeir, met his Iraqi counterpart, Mohammad Ali Al-Hakim, in Riyadh.

During the meeting, they reviewed the close relations between the Kingdom and Iraq and means of enhancing them in all fields, in addition to discussing regional and international developments and discussing a number of issues of mutual interest.

Saudi Arabia is keen to develop strong relations with Baghdad to counter Iranian influence in Iraq.

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman holds meeting with Iraq President Barham Salih.

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman holds meeting with Iraq President Barham Salih.

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman holds meeting with Iraq President Barham Salih.

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman holds meeting with Iraq President Barham Salih.

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman holds meeting with Iraq President Barham Salih.

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman holds meeting with Iraq President Barham Salih.

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman holds meeting with Iraq President Barham Salih.