Iraqi interior minister apologizes

Iraqi Minister of Interior Bayan Jabor has apologized for comments he had made towards Saudi Arabia last week, including referring to Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al Faisal as a “*bedouin riding camel."

He added that he hoped ties between Iraq and Saudi Arabia would remain strong. “I hope these statements and what has been said and written will be a passing summer cloud ... My statements have nothing to do with the Iraqi government,”

Jabor had made the comments following expressions of concern on Saudi Arabia's part regarding the intentions of Iraq's Shiite community. He also criticized Saudi Arabia for unjust treatment of its Shiite community and women.

*Bedouin: Generic name for a desert-dweller, is a term generally applied to Arab nomadic groups.