Qatar appoints first ambassador to Iraq in 25 years

Dubai - Tensions between GCC and Iraq have eased since Prime Minister Haider Abadi took office last year.

Qatar's Amir has appointed an ambassador to Iraq, the first since the embassy was closed 25 years ago, Iraqi and Qatari media said, in the latest sign of a thaw in relations between Gulf Arab countries and Iraq.
Iraq's foreign minister had said in May that Qatar would open an embassy in Baghdad.
Qatari state media as well as Qatar-owned Al Jazeera said on their websites that the Amir of Qatar, His Highness Shaikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, had issued a decree appointing Zayed  Al Khayareen as Qatar's "ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Iraq".
Tensions between GCC and Iraq have eased since Prime Minister Haider Abadi took office last year.
A rapprochement could help strengthen a regional alliance against Daesh who have seized vast areas in both Iraq and neighbouring Syria.
Saudi Arabia also signalled its intention to reopen an embassy in Baghdad earlier this year and has invited Abadi to visit the Kingdom.
Iraq recalled its ambassador to Qatar this week after the foreign ministry denounced a conference hosted by Doha it said included attendees wanted by Iraqi courts on terrorism charges.

• Qatar