Baghdad ‘surprised’ by meeting between British, Iranian ambassadors

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Iraq's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) on Thursday said it was “surprised” by a recent social media post by the British ambassador in Baghdad that described a meeting with his Iranian counterpart in which they discussed the responsibilities of the nation's next government.

Earlier in the day, British Ambassador Jon Wilks met with Iranian diplomats and Ambassador Iraj Masjedi in Baghdad. According to a Tweet by Wilks, he had called on Masjedi, “for frank discussion about latest developments in #Iraq.”

Both sides were said to have agreed that the next Iraqi government “had to improve its delivery of services and jobs,” concluded the post.

Called on HE Iranian Ambassador for frank discussion about latest developments in #Iraq. Agreed next @IraqiGovt had to improve its delivery of services and jobs
to the people.

— Jon Wilks (@JonWilksFCO) September 20, 2018

Iraq’s MoFA was “surprised by the tweet” of Wilks, regarding “his talk on the nature of the mission of the next Iraqi government,” began a statement penned by the ministry’s spokesperson, Ahmed Mahjoob.

Mahjoub emphasized that “the decision of forming the Iraqi government is purely a national one,” and called on “regional and international support” to ensure “the sovereignty” of the country.

Following a contentious election in May, Iraq recently settled on the positions of parliament speaker and his two deputies, after which the question of the presidency will be tackled, a position traditionally held by a Kurd.

In a session to be held on when parliament convenes on Tuesday, Kurdish parties must present their nominees for the post. So far, only the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) has settled on its candidate, Barham Salih.

The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), however, has said that they will put forth their own candidate as well.

Editing by John J. Catherine