He tweeted that the ministry was “asking its Saudi counterpart to replace the ambassador of the Saudi Arabian Kingdom in Baghdad”.
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“The presence of Sabhan is an obstacle to the development of relations between Iraq and Saudi Arabia”, Iraqi Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Jamal told al-Aahd, a TV channel belonging to Shiite militia Asaib Ahl al-Haq.
Mr. Jamal said the request was made in coordination with Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi’s office.
The channel, quoting unnamed sources, alleged that Iranian-backed senior figures in Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Committee are among those behind the assassination plots and that they had given the Iraqi Foreign Ministry a deadline to expel al-Sabhan. Media arms of many militias accused Mr. Sabhan of having an anti-militia agenda as soon as he assumed his post. At least one prominent militia leader called for the ambassador’s assassination.
During recent days, Sabhan repeatedly referenced a “terrorist plot” to assassinate him after a Shiite commander, Aws al-Khafaji, said that killing the envoy would be an “honor”. Iraqi officials said there had been no such attempt and challenged the ambassador to provide proof.
Sabhan also noted that his latest statements on Iran have “disturbed” some Iraqi factions, but added that the Iraqi people have always been keen on maintaining friendly relations with Riyadh and Baghdad.
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Some Sunni members of parliament criticized the demand for the ambassador’s replacement and said he should have some more time to do his work. “We clearly stated that we do not want al-Sabhan in Iraq.” he said, before adding that if he were assassinated, “it will be an honor and will be proudly admitted”. “We have a very amicable relationship with Iraqi politicians that the media does not capture”. He told Asharq al-Awsat newspaper that, as ambassador, he should represent his country’s political stance.
