Iraqi PM urges coordinated anti-IS efforts with Saudi Arabia

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi Tuesday urged Saudi Arabia to coordinate its efforts against the violent Islamic State (IS) terrorist group after an attack on Saudi border guards close to Iraqi territories .

According to a statement issued by Abadi's office, the Iraqi leader told the Saudi Crown Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz in a phone conversation that the IS fighters' recent attack on the border outposts has confirmed the extremist nature of this terrorist group and the importance to confront it through coordinated efforts.

Abadi stressed that the IS terrorist group is not only a threat to Iraq but also to the whole region and the world as well, the statement said.

The two leaders also discussed means to enhance bilateral relations in various fields, in addition to the future cooperation to battle these terrorist organisations, the statement added.

Abadi's phone call came after Saudi border guards were attacked early Monday by gunmen in Arar, near the border with Iraq.

In the attack, three guards and four attackers were killed, including two suicide bombers, according to the media.