Iraq says needs US$100 bln for reconstruction, calls for Saudi support
Saudi monarchy King Salman bin Abdulaziz
In a statement on Thursday, the Iraqi Planning Ministry said, “King Salman bin Abdel Aziz, of Saudi Arabia, received today the Iraqi Minister of Planning Salman al-Jumaili.”
The minister, according to the statement, “handed a letter from Abadi at which he highlighted the deep brotherly ties between the two countries.”
Abadi also “praised the supportive role of the kingdom toward Iraq in its war against terrorism, which threatened the whole region and the world as well.”
The message urged the kingdom to support Iraq in reconstructing the liberated regions and achieve development “as Iraq needs around US$100 billion.”
Abadi expressed hopes that “the Saudi participation in Kuwait’s conference for donor countries, which will be held between 14-16 February, to be as strong as the brotherly ties between the two countries.”
“King Salman expressed the kingdom’s readiness to offer all kinds of support to Iraq to assist in the reconstruction during the coming period,” the statement added.
Kuwait will host an international conference from February 12 to 14 on reconstructing parts of Iraq devastated by the war against Islamic State. Donor countries and organizations are expected to announce financial contributions at the gathering.