Baghdad, Rabi'II 08, 1437, January 18, 2016,SPA -- President Fuad Maasoom of Iraq received at the presidential palace in Baghdad today the ambassador-designate of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Republic of Iraq Thamir bin Sabhan Al-Sabhan. During the audience, the ambassador presented the originals of his letters of credence to the Iraqi President as ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to Iraq and conveyed the greetings of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, the Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior and the Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense, wishing the President continuous health and happiness and the people of Iraq steady progress and prosperity. For his part, the Iraqi President confirmed the importance of relations with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, stressing the keenness of his country to promote and strengthen these relations. The ambassador also confirmed the Kingdom's keenness to maintain good relations with Iraq and its keenness on the unity, security and stability of Iraq. The audience was attended by senior officials as well as the Saudi deputy chief of mission in Baghdad Dr. Yahiya Shrahili. --SPA 18:25 LOCAL TIME 15:25 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w