Iraq’s foreign ministry has called on Saudi Arabia to replace its current ambassador in Baghdad.
According to Iraqi-state TV, Iraqi Shi’ite politicians have made persistent requests that Thamer al-Sabhan be expelled following comments he allegedly made about Iran’s involvement in Iraq.
It was also claimed that Iranian-backed Shi’ite militias were exacerbating tensions with Sunnis.
The Iraqi foreign ministry has had to deny media reports of a plot to kill Sabhan, the first Saudi ambassador appointed after reopening the Saudi embassy in the Iraqi capital in December.