Iraq to expand strategic cooperation with Saudi Arabia, Syria, PM says

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has announced plans to deepen Baghdad's strategic economic cooperation with Saudi Arabia and Syria, while reaffirming that Iraq remains committed to OPEC and has no intention of leaving the oil producers' group.

Speaking to Al Hadath, al-Zaidi said the Iraqi government is preparing an official visit to Riyadh to sign a series of new agreements, alongside a working trip to Damascus aimed at strengthening bilateral ties. He added that Iraq expects to receive what it considers a fair oil production quota within OPEC.

On regional security, the prime minister said investigations into recent attacks on facilities in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are continuing. He noted that Iraqi authorities have found no evidence indicating that Iraqi territory was used to carry out the attacks.

To bolster security, Baghdad has deployed additional military units to the country's borders, al-Zaidi said.

The prime minister also pledged to resolve the remaining outstanding issues with the Kurdistan Regional Government, stressing that the autonomous Kurdistan Region is an integral part of Iraq.