Iraqi PM seeks to boost ties on his first visit to Saudi Arabia

Mustafa al-Kadhimi meets top Saudi leadership as he aims to forge a closer economic and security ties with the kingdom.

Iraq will never become a launchpad for attacks on Saudi Arabia, Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi pledged on Wednesday during a long-awaited visit to the kingdom aimed at forging closer economic and security ties. In January, explosive-laden drones crashed into the main royal palace in Riyadh, with American media citing US officials as saying they were launched from neighbouring Iraq. Saudi officials did not publicly disclose any details on the reported attack on the sprawling al-Yamama complex, the official residence and office of King Salman as well as the main base of the royal court.