Bahrain and Iraq end diplomatic dispute before it starts – Details
Bahrain and Iraq have blocked the path of those trying to exploit a diplomatic dispute to sow strife between the two countries, after Manama summoned the Iraqi charge d’affaires for “repeated violations of diplomatic norms”.
Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif al-Zayani and Iraq’s Fuad Hussein spoke by telephone this morning about the depth of “brotherly relations”, the official Bahrain News Agency reported.
“During the call, they stressed the depth of the strong historical fraternal relations between the two brotherly countries, within the framework of mutual respect and understanding at all levels, and the bonds of brotherhood, common history and mutual interests that bind them,” the news agency said.
The two ministers affirmed “the keenness of the two countries to develop the good relations between them and to enhance bilateral cooperation in various fields in order to achieve the common interests and desired goals of the two brotherly countries and peoples,” it added.
Earlier, the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it had summoned Iraqi Charge d’Affaires to the Kingdom of Bahrain, Mouayed Omar Abdulrahman, to Baghdad. Manama had previously denounced what it said was unacceptable behavior on the part of Iraqi officials, contrary to diplomatic protocols and norms.
“Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Fouad Hussein instructed that Iraq’s charge d’affaires to the Kingdom of Bahrain be returned to the ministry center in Baghdad,” the Iraqi Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
“This measure enhances the status of Iraqi diplomacy, which the ministry is adopting to preserve diplomatic norms,” the ministry statement said.
Moayad Omar Abdulrahman had been summoned by the Bahraini authorities and handed an official protest note.
The Bahraini Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed the Iraqi Charge d’Affaires of its deep regret and dissatisfaction for his repeated violations of diplomatic norms, which contravene his functions as Chargé d’affaires of the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and his interference in the internal affairs of the Kingdom.
The official statement did not specify the nature of these unacceptable violations or the interventions that were rejected.
