Sweden temporarily moves embassy in Iraq to Stockholm
Last updated on: 21 July,2023 03:30 pm
The Swedish government took the step after hundreds of people stormed the embassy in Baghdad
COPENHAGEN (Reuters) – Seconded staff and operations at the Swedish embassy in Baghdad have been relocated temporarily to Stockholm for security reasons, news agency TT reported on Friday, citing the Swedish foreign ministry.
The Swedish government took the step after hundreds of people stormed the embassy in Iraq capital Baghdad on Thursday morning to protest the planned burning. No embassy staff were injured.
Earlier, Iraq expelled the Swedish ambassador in opposition to a protest scheduled to take place in Stockholm on Thursday. Demonstrators received permission from local police to burn a Quran outside the Iraqi embassy.
Meanwhile, Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström said Iraqi authorities failed to protect the compound in accordance with an international agreement.
The protest in Stockholm went forward, but participants stopped short of burning a copy of Islam’s primary text.