Shammari named Saudi Arabia’s charge d’affaires to Iraq

Abdulaziz al-Shammari has reportedly been appointed as Saudi Arabia’s chargé d’affaires in Iraq after Baghdad asked Riyadh to replace its ambassador Thamer al-Sabhan for his repeated interference in Iraq’s internal affairs.

In a post published on his Twitter account on Friday, Sabhan wished Shammari success in his new post as the charge d’affaires at the Saudi embassy in Baghdad, the Riyadh-based and pro-government Saudi daily Al Riyadh reported on Friday.

Ahmed Jamal, the spokesman for the Iraqi Foreign Ministry, announced on August 28 that senior Iraqi officials had requested Saudi Arabia to find a replacement for 49-year-old Sabhan.

The Saudi ambassador to Baghdad had on occasions received warnings from Iraqi officials for his interference in the country’s domestic affairs.

In June, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi strongly urged Sabhan to remain committed to his diplomatic duties and avoid meddlesome remarks and actions.