| Saudi Arabia has returned 16 Iraqi prisoners to Iraq and received eight Saudis in return ahead of a new agreement on swapping convicted criminals, Saudi media said on Sunday. The move is the latest in slow steps by Saudi Arabia and Iraq to rebuild ties after the 2003 United States-led invasion of Iraq brought leaders from the majority Shia Muslim community to power. A Saudi Interior Ministry statement carried by the state media said the swap was to strengthen security "in preparation for an agreement on exchanging those convicted of jail sentences". Iraq's National Security Adviser Mowaffaq Al Rubaie said earlier this month that Saudi Arabia would repatriate all 434 Iraqis in Saudi jails under a new agreement. Rubaie said the Iraqi prisoners included drug traffickers, Iraqis who had crossed into the Gulf kingdom illegally, and other criminals, including 'terrorists'. |