HRM King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud received at his Palace in Riyadh Tuesday the President of Iraq Dr. Mohammed Fouad Masum, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

At the outset of the audience, the Saudi King welcomed the Iraqi President, wishing him and the accompanying delegation a good stay in Saudi Arabia. For his part, the President of Iraq expressed pleasure visiting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and meeting with King Abdullah.

Then, they discussed the latest developments at regional and international arenas in addition to the aspects of cooperation and ways of enhancing them between the two brotherly countries.

Deputy Crown Prince, Second Deputy Premier, held at his palace in Riyadh a dinner banquet in honor of President Dr. Mohammed Fuad Masum and his accompanying delegation. The banquet was attended by Prince Faisal bin Mohammed bin Saud; Prince Mishaal bin Saud bin Abdulaziz; Prince Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz; Prince Saud bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz; Prince Khalid bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Chief of General Intelligence; Prince Dr. Mansour bin Miteb bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs; Prince Nahar bin Saud bin Abdulaziz; Prince Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Abdulrahman, Governor of Dir'iya'; a number of Princes; and senior officials.

On the Iraqi side, the banquet was attended by Foreign Minister Ibrahim Abdul Karim Hamza Al-Jaafari; , Minister of Finance Hoshyar Zebari; Minister of Interior Mohammed Salem Abdul Hussein; Minister of Planning Salman Ali Hassan; National Security Advisor Faleh Faisal Fahd; and a number of officials.

During his visit, the Iraqi President received a number of Arab Ambassadors accredited to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with whom he discussed ways of enhancing relations between Iraq and Arab countries, expressing his country's desire to strengthen relations with neighboring countries.

The Iraqi President also received Prince Khalid bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Chief of General Intelligence of Saudi Arabia and discussed bilateral relations and issues of common interest between the two countries. On the Iraqi side, the meeting was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs Ibrahim Abdul Karim Al-Jaafari, Minister of Interior Mohammed Salem Abdul Hussein, and National Security Advisor Faleh Faisal Fahd.

President Dr. Mohammed Fuad Masum also received Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Minister of Foreign Affairs. The meeting was attended by Undersecretary of Foreign Ministry for Bilateral Affairs Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al-Jandan.

On the Iraqi side, it was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs Ibrahim Abdul Karim Al-Jaafari, Minister of Interior Mohammed Salem Abdul Hussein, Minister of Finance Hoshyar Zebari, Minister of Planning Salman Ali Hussein, National Security adviser Faleh Faisal Fahd, and Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ghanim Alwan Al-Jumaili.

Source: SPA