Iraq assures foreign diplomatic missions of their security
World
Says Baghdad is fully committed to Vienna Convention
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – The Iraqi government sought to reassure diplomatic missions in the country of their security on Saturday, saying it would not allow a recurrence of the storming of the Swedish embassy.
The statement from the Foreign Ministry came a day after hundreds of protesters stormed the Swedish embassy in Baghdad, setting it on fire in protest against plans to burn a copy of the Koran in Stockholm. Iraq also expelled the Swedish ambassador.
"The Iraqi government is fully committed to the Vienna Convention that regulates diplomatic relations among countries and assures all resident diplomatic missions of their security and protection," the ministry said.
"What happened to the Embassy of the Kingdom of Sweden in Baghdad cannot be repeated, and any similar act will be subject to legal accountability," it added.
Earlier, Sweden said seconded staff at the Swedish embassy in Baghdad have been temporarily withdrawn for security reasons after it was stormed by Iraqis.
Iraq expelled the Swedish ambassador on Thursday and recalled its charge d'affaires in Stockholm in protest at a planned attack on the Koran that had prompted hundreds of protesters to vandalise the embassy in the Iraqi capital.
A Swedish foreign ministry spokesperson said seconded staff and operations had been relocated to Stockholm, but declined to give further comment.
