Foreign Ministry summons Iraqi Deputy Chargé d’affaires to object statement of Muqtada Al-Sadr

Manama, Apr. 27 (BNA): The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain has summoned the Deputy Chargé d'affaires of the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq to the Kingdom of Bahrain, Nihad Rajab Askar. The Undersecretary of Regional and GCC Affairs, Ambassador Waheed Mubarak Sayyar, expressed the Kingdom of Bahrain’s strong dismissal and objection of the statement issued by Muqtada Al-Sadr, in which he mentioned the Kingdom of Bahrain. The statement is a blatant and unacceptable interference in the internal affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain. It violates the principles of international law and affects the nature of relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Republic of Iraq. Ambassador Waheed Sayyar stressed that the Kingdom of Bahrain will hold the Iraqi government responsible for any deterioration in bilateral relations as it allows such irresponsible and offensive remarks that spread sedition that threaten the peace and stability of the region. The Undersecretary of Regional and GCC Affairs stated that the Kingdom of Bahrain is committed to its approach of non-interference in the internal affairs of other states, adding that the Kingdom calls upon the Iraqi government to deter such inciting statements that lead to difficult situations. He affirmed that the Kingdom of Bahrain will not accept any form of violation or interference in its affairs from any party, and that it will take all the necessary measures to preserve its sovereignty, independence, peace and stability. Ambassador Waheed Sayyar noted that the Kingdom of Bahrain demands that the Iraqi government shoulder its responsibility in ensuring the safety of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain in Baghdad and the Consulate of the Kingdom of Bahrain in Najaf according to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. It also calls upon the Iraqi government to immediately intervene to stop such hostile statements against the Kingdom of Bahrain with the aim of destabilizing the Kingdom and the region, whether these statements came from Iraqi officials or any other party. The Undersecretary of Regional & GCC Affairs delivered to the Deputy Chargé d'affaires of the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq to the Kingdom of Bahrain a letter of protest on this issue. (Foreign Affairs Ministry)