441 Policy 2020/10/07 22:27
Baghdad today – Follow-up
Today, Wednesday, Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein confirmed that he explained to the Iranian side the risks of withdrawing US forces from Iraq.
Hussein said in a televised interview that she followed (Baghdad Today), “We explained to the Iranian side the dangers of withdrawing US forces from Iraq, and we also made contacts with Western foreign ministers to urge the United States to return from its decision to withdraw from Iraq,” stressing, “Continuing communication with the American side at levels several”.
He added that “there is a decision to stop the attacks on Western embassies in Baghdad,” noting that “an investigation has been opened into the attacks.”
He explained that “the security of the US embassy in Iraq is a very sensitive matter, especially during the period of the American elections, and targeting an American convoy on the Baghdad airport road is wrong and sends dangerous messages.”
And that “the only American requirement to maintain diplomatic representation in Iraq is not to target the US embassy,” noting that “Washington asked us a question about the Iraqi government’s ability to prevent attacks on diplomatic missions.”
He continued: “More than 20 countries expressed their concern and seriously about the security of the embassy in Iraq, and demanded the necessity of stopping the attacks on diplomatic missions, but no country hinted to withdraw its embassy if the US embassy in Baghdad closed.”
He stressed the need to “build good relations with neighboring countries through state institutions,” stressing that “our relationship with Iran is good and we are trying to restore the good historical relationship with Turkey.”
The Foreign Minister denied, “knowing any information about the representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations reaching an agreement with the leaders of the Popular Mobilization Forces.”
Regarding the elections, Hussein commented, “I hope that early elections will be held on time, but the preparatory procedures are slow. Therefore, I do not expect them to take place on time due to the lack of completion of the preparations.”
On the American presence in Iraq, the Foreign Minister emphasized, “The government committed itself to the decision of Parliament and started a dialogue on the withdrawal of foreign forces and reached results, as there are understandings with the American side about the redeployment of American forces,” pointing out that “the technical committee that will be formed after the elections The American government will decide the timing of the withdrawal. ”
He continued: “The withdrawal of American diplomats will affect the training and arming of the Iraqi security services. Therefore, we must determine the extent of our need for foreign forces in Iraq, according to the security data.”