Riyadh denies reports of crown prince visit to Iraq

BAGHDAD – Saudi Arabia’s ministry of foreign affairs says there is “no truth” to reports of an upcoming visit to Iraq by crown prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The statement released Saturday follows protests in Baghdad against the visit.

Hundreds gathered in the Iraqi capital Friday afternoon, some carrying signs blaming the kingdom for crimes committed by the Islamic State group.

The Saudi foreign ministry statement added that “the two brotherly countries” had witnessed “positive developments… recently in all fields.”

Iraq’s prime minister’s office had previously stated that the crown prince was planning to visit Iraq in the near future, but a date had not yet been set.

Iraq and Saudi Arabia have long had a strained relationship, but recently mended relations after diplomatic ties between the two counties were restored in 2016.