Iraqi Shi’ite politicians have made persistent requests that Sabhan be expelled in reaction to comments he has made about Iran’s involvement in Iraq and claims that Iranian-backed Shi’ite militias were exacerbating tensions with Sunnis.
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The Iraqi foreign ministry on Monday denied media reports of plot to kill Sabhan, the first Saudi ambassador appointed after reopening the Saudi embassy in the Iraqi capital in December.
Al-Sabhan was quoted as telling the Saudi-owned al-Hayat newspaper that Iraqi intelligence provided him with information about the assassination plans.
The Saudi ambassador said Sunday the call for his dismissal was an easy way for Iraqi officials to avoid embarrassment as they ignore his claims of being targeted for assassination.
He allegedly said this was happening as Saudi Arabia’s regional rival, Iran, tries to block reform efforts in Iraq and other Arab countries.
“Saudi Arabia’s policies in Iraq will not change”, Sabhan told the TV station.
“The Foreign Ministry has asked its Saudi counterpart to replace the Saudi ambassador in Baghdad”, ministry spokesman Ahmed Gamal said in a statement.
Sabhan, responding to messages expressing solidarity with him after the Iraqi announcement, tweeted: “I am a servant of this (Saudi) leadership which is seeking to assist the truth and the wellbeing of Muslims, may God preserve it”. According to him, Baghdad had repeatedly urged Sabhan to refrain from public comments on Iraqi affairs.
Dr Azam Akhwand of the Columbia University while conversing with Dunya News North America correspondent Nadeem Manzoor Sulehri stated that Saudi Arabia shall call its ambassador in Iraq back to the country keeping in view the current situation of the region.
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Iraq’s Shia community was angered by Saudi Arabia’s execution in January of dissident Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr.
