Iraq regrets the closure of the US consulate in Basra and confirms its commitment to protect foreign missions
2018/9/29 10:04
[Ayna-Baghdad]
The Iraqi Foreign Ministry expressed regret at the decision of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, the withdrawal of US consular staff in Basra.
"The ministry regretted the US Secretary of State's decision to withdraw US consular staff in Basra and warn US citizens not to travel to Iraq," State Departmentspokesman Ahmad Mahjoub said in a statement.
"Iraq is committed to protecting foreign diplomatic missions residing in its territory and securing them," the foreign ministry said. "The Iraqi government is determined to confront any threats against diplomatic missions or any foreign visitor as part of Iraq's security and legal and moral obligation."
The statement said the ministry "calls on the diplomatic missions not to pay attention to what is being promoted to disturb the atmosphere of security, stability and harm to Iraq's relations with the countries of the world."
The US State Department announced yesterday the closure of its consulate in the province of Basra and ordered all its employees there to spoil Iraq fled, "making its decision to" security threats. "
alliraqnews.com