Iraq’s Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki accused Saudi Arabia and Qatar of attempting to destabilise Iraq by providing financial and political support to insurgent groups in the country.

Al-Maliki, speaking on French television channel France-24 on 8 March, said the two Gulf states were “attacking Iraq through Syria, and in a direct way”, and that Saudi Arabia in particular was supporting global terrorism.

“These two countries are primarily responsible for the sectarian and terrorist and security crisis of Iraq.”

This is not the first time Al-Maliki has publically criticised Saudi Arabia, holding the kingdom responsible for deteriorating relations between Iraq’s Shia majority and embattled Sunni minority.

Saudi Arabia currently has no embassy in Baghdad, but instead uses its ambassador to Jordan, Fahd Abdul Mohsen al-Zaid as a non-resident ambassador to Iraq.

The kingdom was opposed to the US invasion, fearing Iraq would come under Iranian influence if Saddam Hussain was removed.