The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the British Chargé d'Affaires in Baghdad, Ruth Coferdal, today, Sunday, and handed her a note of protest regarding the statements made by Ambassador Stephen Hitchen about security in Iraq. The Iraqi Foreign Ministry stated in a press release that it "summoned today the Chargé d'Affaires of the United Kingdom to Baghdad, Ruth Coferdal, due to the ambassador's absence from Iraq and handed her a note of protest regarding the statements made by the UK Ambassador to the Republic of Iraq, Stephen Hitchen, which touched upon the security and political matters, reflecting a bleak image of Iraq, its government, and its components." The ministry indicated that "it considered this an interference in internal affairs and a departure from the diplomatic duties entrusted to the ambassador."
According to the statement, the Head of the Europe Department in the ministry, Ambassador Bakr Ahmed Al-Jaf, noted that "partnership in opportunities is matched by partnership in challenges," emphasizing "the necessity of engaging with the Iraqi experience from the perspective of common interests and avoiding actions that contradict the serious vision pursued by the Iraqi government and its constitutional institutions, which have dedicated efforts to establish diverse economic and developmental paths, preceded by significant efforts to establish security and enhance stability and provide unprecedented opportunities for the integration of the honorable components in Iraq."
The British ambassador had stated in press remarks that "the security situation in Iraq is 100 times better than before, but there are threats against British individuals, and I personally face threats, as some armed groups do not like us." He pointed out that "for this reason, it is difficult for me to encourage my relatives to visit Iraq amid threats, security chaos, and lack of control over loose weapons."
