In a news conference on Wednesday (November 3rd), Iraq's foreign minister welcomed Saudi Arabia's proposal to host talks in order to resolve the countries political stalemate and form a new government, AFP reported.

"It is a good initiative, and we welcome it because it comes to serve the people," Hoshyar Zebari said. "We are surprised because we did not receive any official notification, and heard about it through the media," Zebari added.

His announcement was the first official Iraqi response since Saudi King Abdullah invited Iraqi political leaders to Riyadh to settle their differences and form a government last month. Saudi officials said they and Arab League officials would only serve as facilitators.