{
  "id": 18125332,
  "title": "Iraqi PM Ali Al Zaidi holds talks in Bahrain in latest regional visit",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/iraqi-pm-ali-al-zaidi-holds-talks-in-bahrain-in-latest-regional-visit",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-04T13:32:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/2026/11/04/iraqi-pm-ali-al-zaidi-holds-talks-in-bahrain-in-latest-regional-visit/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi commenced a visit to Bahrain on Wednesday, marking his first trip to the Gulf kingdom since 2003. During his tenure in Manama, Al Zaidi engaged in discussions with Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, jointly chairing talks aimed at expanding cooperation in economic, political, and social sectors. Upon his arrival, Prince Salman expressed delight at the historic visit, stating it would pave the way for intensified cooperation and economic partnerships, positioning Iraq as a pivotal player in the region.\n\nEarlier in the day, Iraqi government spokesman Haider Al Aboudi revealed that the prime minister would be addressing matters of political and economic cooperation, as well as regional developments, with King Hamad during his stay. Al Zaidi's itinerary includes subsequent meetings with King Hamad and an anticipated encounter with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This visit is part of an extensive regional tour by Al Zaidi, which also included a recent trip to Jordan, where he met with King Abdullah II amid heightened tensions between Damascus and Amman following Israel's war on Iran. The Iraqi leader's itinerary then led to Damascus, where he held talks with Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara, the first such visit since the fall of Bashar Al Assad in 2024. During this meeting, discussions encompassed trade, investment, border security, and the restoration of organized Shiite pilgrimages to the Sayyida Zaynab shrine near Damascus.",
  "summary": "Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi held talks in the Bahraini capital Manama on Wednesday on the first visit to the kingdom by a leader of post-2003 Iraq. Mr Al Zaidi expressed Iraq's keenness to “expand areas of co-operation and partnership between the two countries, in various economic, political and social sectors,” his office said. The talks aim to improve co-operation in several fields in a…",
  "key_points": [
    "Iraqi PM Ali Al Zaidi visits Bahrain for first trip since 2003",
    "Talks focus on economic, political, and social sector cooperation",
    "Subsequent meetings planned with King Hamad and Saudi Crown Prince"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}