Okaz/Saudi Gazette

RIYADH — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman made on Thursday a telephone call to Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi. During the telephone conversation, the leaders reviewed bilateral relations between the two countries in various fields and ways of enhancing them through the Saudi-Iraqi Coordination Council.

This was the second time King Salman was making a phone call to Abadi in 72 hours. Earlier, King Salman held phone conversation with Abadi on Monday. The office of Abadi in Baghdad said that the King invited Abadi to attend the meeting of the council, which will be held in Riyadh in the coming week. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is also expected to attend the council meeting.

“King Salman greeted Abadi and the people of Iraq for the victory they have achieved against terrorism, and the King emphasized the Kingdom’s keenness to further bolster bilateral relations. In his reply, Abadi reiterated that Iraq wants to enhance ties with the Kingdom in various fields,” the office said, adding that Abadi informed King Salman that the battle against terrorism and the elimination of Daesh (so called IS) in Iraq has entered its final phase.