Iraq's prime minister met with leaders in rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran on Sunday, discussing regional stability as part of Baghdad's efforts to mediate between the two Middle East heavyweights.
Mustafa al-Kadhemi visited Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in Tehran, after earlier meeting with Saudi Arabia's de facto leader Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the Saudi city of Jeddah -- pushing forward a bid to reconcile the foes that have had no diplomatic ties since 2016.
Raisi appeared to welcome the mediation bid, saying: "We stressed the need for regional leaders to negotiate with one another to resolve the region's problems."
Iran and Iraq "believe that peace and tranquillity in the region depend on the role of all regional leaders," he added in a news conference with Kadhemi.
