Security only hurdle for Arab Iraqi embassies: Saudi

RIYADH (Reuters) - There are no political reasons behind the absence of Arab diplomatic missions in Iraq and Arab countries will open embassies once security has improved, the Saudi foreign minister said on Wednesday.

"The reason is not political, it is entirely security, and when security is there the embassies will follow," Prince Saud al-Faisal told a news conference on Wednesday, a day after attending a meeting of Iraq's neighbors in Kuwait.

"We hope the Iraqi government will be able to provide the protection for missions in Iraq. The important thing for Arabs is to take part in finding solutions to ensure national reconciliation, unity and independence."

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice criticized Arab nations at the Kuwait meeting for not opening embassies in Baghdad and for failing so far to write off Iraqi debts.

No ambassador from any Sunni-led Arab nation has been stationed permanently in Baghdad since Egypt's envoy was kidnapped and killed in 2005. The Jordanian and United Arab Emirates missions were also targeted by militants.

Although Arab governments cite security concerns, analysts say the Iraqi government's continued reliance on large numbers of foreign troops and anger over Iranian political influence could also lie behind the Arab reluctance to normalize ties.

Saudi Arabia said last year it would open an embassy but has not yet sent an ambassador. Sectarian fighting between Sunni and Shi'ite Muslims that erupted in 2006 has died down after Washington raised U.S. troop levels.

Saudi Arabia, which sees itself as the leading Sunni Muslim power, also wants the Shi'ite-led Iraqi government to reach out politically to Sunni Muslims and end what its considers to be Iranian funding for Shi'ite militias.

(Reporting by Andrew Hammond; Editing by Catherine Evans)