ALBAWABA - Following statements regarding the country's security situation, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry announced summoning British Chargé d'Affaires, Stephen Hitchcock, in protest of the remarks.
The ministry added that the ambassador’s remarks reflect "a bleak image of Iraq, its government and components,".
The controversy emerged after Ambassador Hitchen went on a television program two days ago to address Iraq's internal situation, especially the position of Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the country's senior Shia religious authority.
During the meeting with the Charge d'Affaires, the head of the Europe Department, Ambassador Bakr Ahmed Al Jaff, emphasized that "partnerships come with both opportunities and challenges,".
He urged the British government to "approach Iraq with a focus on mutual interests and to avoid actions that contradict the serious efforts of the Iraqi government and its constitutional institutions, which have worked to establish diverse economic and developmental pathways following significant efforts to enhance security and stability".
