Iraqi-Saudi relations proceeding well says Iraq

Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammed Said al-Sahaf headed on yesterday evening to Kenya, then he will head to Gabon and Zambia. His visit aims at informing leaders on Iraq's implementation of international resolutions.

In a press statement al-Sahaf said today that his country calls for establishing a channel of communications with Saudi Arabia like the one it established with Egypt and France.

Sahaf asserted that relations between Baghdad and Riyadh witness continued progress. "We are on our way to starting dialogue through channels agreed upon by the two sides," he said.

In statements to the London-based al-Hayat daily al-Sahaf was quoted as saying that "until now we have not established a continuous channel for dialogue with Saudi Arabia."

He stressed that his country proposed that Saudi Arabia open bureaus in Baghdad and Riyadh to look for each country's interests in the other. He added that the Saudis did not refuse the proposal, but they did not take positive "measures in this direction."

He elaborated that the idea of opening the two said bureaus between the countries does not mean the resumption of relations. Relations between Iraq and Saudi Arabia were severed following the Gulf war in 1991.

He confirmed that Iraqi - Syrian relations are progressing in gradual steps and that Iraq is content with the level the relations have reached. He also said that Jordan is mediating between Iraq and the U.S. in order to open a direct discussion.