Iraq Protests British Ambassador’s Comments on Security Issues
The Iraqi Foreign Ministry on Sunday summoned Ruth Coverdale, Britain’s chargé d’affaires in Baghdad, to express dissatisfaction with recent comments made by British Ambassador Stephen Hitchen regarding the state of Iraq. The ambassador, who is currently outside of Iraq, had reportedly made remarks that painted a negative picture of Iraq’s political and security environment.
This holiday season, give to:
Truth and understanding
The Media Line's intrepid correspondents are in Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Pakistan providing first-person reporting.
They all said they cover it.
We see it.
We report with just one agenda: the truth.
According to a statement from the ministry, Hitchen’s comments “portrayed a bleak image of Iraq’s security and political situation, reflecting negatively on the country’s government and its diverse communities.” The ministry further stated that the ambassador’s remarks were viewed as “interference in Iraq’s internal affairs” and represented a breach of the diplomatic role entrusted to him.
While the ministry did not specify which remarks prompted the protest, local media outlets reported that Hitchen had spoken on a television program about challenges related to integrating militias into Iraq’s official military institutions. He also addressed the difficulties British citizens face in Iraq, emphasizing security concerns in the country. During the program, he noted that he had personally received threats from militias he described as hostile to the UK, saying, “They do not like us.”
