While the Saudi Arabia’s interference in the affairs of the regional countries and its support for extremist groups as well as terrorism is so clear to everybody, Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal hinted at Iraqi prime minister’s policies as the main cause of sectarianism in Iraq.
Addressing 41st session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Foreign Ministers Conference, al-Faisal dismissed the Iraqi premier’s accusation that the kingdom is supporting radical militants as “baseless”.
The situation in Iraq, Syria and the Palestinian territories – followed with the region’s national security – took up much of the discussions for OIC foreign ministers.
At the conference, the ministers in attendance also discussed challenges faced by Muslim minorities in some countries.
Al-Maliki has earlier accused neighboring Saudi Arabia of supporting terrorist groups operating inside his country.
“The current terrorism originates from Saudi Arabia,” Maliki said in a recent interview.
The Iraqi premier also blamed the country along with Qatar and Turkey for sponsoring terrorism in Syria.
Earlier this month, he informed UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon that Riyadh must be held accountable for the recent wave of terrorist attacks having claimed thousands of lives in Iraq so far.
Additionally, in a speech in the southern city of Nasiriyah on January 19, Maliki stressed that Iraq is the target for some countries that are “backing terrorism, and backing evil.”