UAE reopens Baghdad embassy

EMBASSY OPEN: The UAE’s new ambassador to Iraq has arrived in Baghdad. (Getty Images)

The UAE’s new ambassador to Iraq, Abdullah Ibrahim Al Shehi has arrived in Baghdad, state news agency WAM reported on Wednesday.

The Iraqi vice president Tariq Al Hashimi met with Al Shehi, who was appointed in July and is the first UAE envoy to Iraq since 1990.

Al Hashimi described the UAE decision to open its mission in Baghdad as a "show of interest" by GCC countries to bolster cooperation with Iraq, WAM reported.

Iraq is more than ready to play a pivotal role within the GCC framework, he added.

Meanwhile, the UAE ambassador described the move to reopen its embassy in Iraq as a turning point for UAE-Iraq relations.

"It was a brave move that would restore Iraqi-Arab relations,” he said.

The decision underscored the keenness of the UAE’s leaders to reinforce the stability and security of Iraq, Al Shehi added.

UAE foreign affairs minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan also visited Baghdad in June, becoming the first GCC official to visit the war-torn nation since 2003.

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