** Iraq has evidence that outside groups have used its territory to launch attacks on neighbouring countries, Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein has said, adding that Baghdad is investigating the strikes and wants to settle its differences with Saudi Arabia through dialogue. He made the remarks in an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera on Saturday.

Saudi Arabia has accused Iran-aligned groups operating from Iraq of attacking its oil infrastructure. In September, Baghdad confirmed that drone attacks on the kingdom's east-west pipeline had originated from Iraqi territory, a finding that put Iraq under pressure from both Riyadh and Washington.

Dialogue with Riyadh

Hussein said Iraq was seeking to resolve the disagreements with Saudi Arabia through dialogue rather than escalation. The dispute matters because Iraq sits between Iran and the Gulf states, and its territory has repeatedly been used by armed groups during the region's conflicts.

The interview also covered the fight against ISIL. Hussein said Iraq, Syria, Jordan and Turkiye had formed a committee to counter the group's presence in Syria, where it has sought to regroup since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government.

Staying out of the war

The remarks follow Iraq's efforts to keep out of the war between the United States, Israel and Iran. On Friday, Hussein proposed a committee of regional foreign ministers to visit Tehran and Washington in search of a settlement, and Iraq's prime minister told President Donald Trump that Iraqi territory must not be used to launch strikes on neighbours. The full Al Jazeera interview is due to air at 18:00 GMT on Sunday. [Source: Al Jazeera](https://trinidadtribune.com/iraqs-fm-says-external-parties-using-iraqi-soil-to-attack-neighbours/) | [Source: Jamaica Inquirer](https://jamaicainquirer.com/iraqs-fm-says-external-parties-using-iraqi-soil-to-attack-neighbours/)