Saudi Arabia and Iraq have not yet reached a solution regarding the exchange of prisoners sentenced to death in the two countries. However, Iraqi National Security Adviser Faleh Al-Fayadh has confirmed that a bilateral security agreement will be signed next month in Riyadh during a visit by an official Iraqi delegation led by the Minister of Justice. Al-Fayadh made the revelation on Saturday at the end of a visit to the Kingdom and heading a high-ranking security delegation. “An agreement between Riyadh and Baghdad is ready, but it might not include the exchange of prisoners sentenced to death because there is disagreement on this issue between the two parties,” he said. He also revealed that less than 100 Saudi prisoners are detained. “We are striving for the exchange of prisoners to take place so that they can spend the rest of their prison term in their country.” Al-Fayadh's visit to the Kingdom was extremely important and was a result of an invitation by Crown Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior. The two delegations discussed increasing cooperation in security and border matters, as well as combating terrorism and drugs. “We presented the viewpoint of the Iraqi government to open relations with the Arab countries following the withdrawal of Americans from Iraqi territories. We found great keenness by the officials in the Kingdom to cooperate and coordinate with us. There were no reservations on their part,” he said. Other subjects at the meeting included the opening of different border posts between the Kingdom and Iraq, open visits between citizens of the two countries plus the exchange of commercial commodities. “Iraq is striving for greater economic relations with neighboring countries, especially the Kingdom,” Al-Fayadh said. Speaking about Saudi-Iraqi relations coming under the limelight once again, the Iraqi National Security Adviser said: “There was a period when the relations between the two countries ceased due to several reasons, but the two parties now look toward the future because we believe in managing the differences with the wisdom of King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Iraqi government.” Regarding the upcoming Arab Summit scheduled to be held in Iraq, he said his country is capable of ensuring security for the summit and an official delegation will arrive in the Kingdom to hand over an invitation to attend the Arab summit. In a related development, the Kingdom and Iraq will announce the name of a liaison officer between the two countries who will pass security information for combating terror, drugs and gangs crossing the borders extending for over 800 km.
