Zalmay Khalilzad, the former U.S ambassador to Iraq, recently paid a new visit to the country, seeking to help reconcile Kurds and Arabs, while also advancing US oil interests say reports.

Khalilzad’s visit took place on October 8 when he met Hoshyar Zebari, the country’s foreign minister, in Baghdad. Two days later he held meetings in the Kurdistan Region with the regional president and prime minister.

Labeed Abbawi, a foreign ministry spokesperson, told Niqash that “the meeting between Khalilzad with Zebari was one of old friends during which personal issues as well as those related to the current political conditions in Iraq and the region were discussed.”

Informed sources told Niqash that the main topic of conversation was related to poor relations between Baghdad and Erbil and the disputed territories.

But, according to Mahmoud Uthman, a Kurdish parliamentarian, Khalilzad was also in the country to support U.S oil companies seeking lucrative oil contracts. “Khalilzad’s visit mainly aimed at discussing personal issues, and deals for U.S oil companies,” Uthman told Niqash.

The Kurdish government denied that oil contracts were discussed.

The visit has provoked a cautious response from Iraqis who still remember Khalilzad from his time as ambassador from 2005 to 2007. During his time in Baghdad Khalilzad was widely regarding as an intelligent and cunning diplomat who effectively used the carrot and stick approach with Iraqi figures in order to advance American interests.

As ambassador Khalilzad gained the nickname Abu Umar for helping persuade Sunni Arabs to join the political process.

Khalilzad has long been involved in Iraqi issues and in some respects his return to the country comes as no great surprise. A supporter of regime-change, Khalilzad was closely involved in drafting plans and war strategies, as well as liaising with the Iraqi opposition, prior to the U.S invasion in 2003.

In the Kurdish region, long appreciative of U.S efforts in Iraq, Khalilzad remains a popular figure. Kurdish leaders describe Khalilzad as a “loyal friend” to Iraq.

According to Uthman, U.S President Barack Obama could now be using Khalilzad’s background and broad experience in Iraq to once again advance American interests in the country as its political future becomes increasingly unstable.

Even so, the U.S embassy in Baghdad declared that Khalilzad was not conducting official government business. “President Obama has not assigned Khalilzad to any official mission in Iraq,” said an embassy spokesman.

Despite his past experience in Iraq Uthman says Khalilzad no longer wields much leverage. “He has lost the power and authority he used to enjoy when he was the U.S ambassador to Iraq and the U.S is not keen to resolve internal Iraqi issues because it can’t do anything about them,” said Uthman.

Others are more critical of Khalilzad’s return.

Sadrists say that as ambassador Khalilzad oversaw a period of extreme violence by U.S military forces and private sector contractors, as well as deep-rooted corruption. Asma al-Musawi, a parliamentarian, said that she did no welcome his return to the country on the back of his involvement in “financial corruption, bribery and the misuse of government money ".

It remains uncertain just how effective Khalilzad’s trip was – both on political and oil matters – and whether it signals a more serious reengagement on his part with Iraqi affairs.