Influential Iraqi Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr makes rare trip to Saudi Arabia

Rasa - Prominent Iraqi Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has met with Saudi Arabia’s crown prince and a few other Saudi officials during a rare trip to the kingdom.

News ID: 431346

Date: 31 July 2017 - 23:16

RNA - According to the Saudi Press Agency on Sunday, Sadr met Mohammed bin Salman at the Red Sea port city of Jeddah where they discussed common topics.

“His Eminence Sayyed Muqtada al-Sadr, may God have mercy on him, goes to visit Saudi Arabia at an official invitation," said a statement released by the influential cleric's office.

Upon arrival, Sadr was greeted by Saudi's former ambassador Thamer al-Sabhan.

Last month, Saudi Arabia and Iraq announced that they were establishing a coordination council to bolster strategic relations aimed at healing troubled ties with other Arab states.

In 2015, Riyadh reopened its embassy in Iraq following a 25-year hiatus, and in February Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir traveled to Baghdad.

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