Iraq summons UK Charge d’Affaires over ambassador’s remarks

BAGHDAD: Iraq has summoned Britain's chargé d'affaires over remarks made by the British Ambassador to Iraq Stephen Hitchen about the country's security and political issues, the country's state news agency reported on Sunday. The ambassador's remarks reflect 'a bleak image of Iraq's security and political situation,' it added. The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) delivered a protest note on Sunday to Ruth Coverdale, the UK charge d'Affaires of the United Kingdom's Embassy in Baghdad. According to a statement published by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), MoFA summoned Ruth Coverdale, Chargé d'affaires of the Embassy of the United Kingdom in Baghdad, in the absence of the ambassador from Iraq. 'The protest note was issued in response to remarks made by the UK's Ambassador to the Republic of Iraq, Stephen Hitchen, which portrayed a bleak image of Iraq's security and political situation, reflecting negatively on the country's government and its diverse communities,' the statement added. ''The ministry con sidered these remarks interference in Iraq's internal affairs and a departure from the diplomatic duties assigned to the ambassador." Source : Emirates News Agency