BAGHDAD — Kuwait named its first ambassador to Iraq since before the 1991 Persian Gulf War on Thursday.
Kuwait’s official news agency quoted the country’s foreign minister as saying retired Lt. Gen. Ali al-Momen, a former military chief of staff, will take the ambassador post. Kuwait closed its embassy in Iraq in 1990 after Saddam Hussein invaded his tiny, oil-rich neighbor. A week ago, Kuwait said Iraq’s security had improved enough for it to finally name an ambassador.
Kuwait joins the United Arab Emirates and Jordan in opening up diplomatically to Baghdad. Bahrain has said it is choosing an ambassador.
Kuwait’s announcement came as the Sunni leader of Lebanon’s parliamentary majority met in Baghdad with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, a Shiite. Saad Hariri’s visit Thursday was a sign of the increasing willingness of Sunni leaders to improve ties with Iraq’s Shiite-dominated government.
