Iraq, Sweden discuss reopening of Swedish embassy in Baghdad
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – In a step aiming to enhance partnership between Iraq and Sweden, Iraq's National Security Adviser, Qasim Al-Araji, and the Swedish Chargé d'Affaires, Jorgen Lindstrom, discussed on Monday the reopening of the Swedish embassy in Baghdad.
During their meeting in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, the two sides reviewed strategies to improve cooperation between Iraq and Sweden in different areas to serve the interests of the two countries, according to a statement cited by the state news agency (INA).
The meeting addressed security developments in the region, particularly in Syria.
In July 2023, the Iraqi government issued a strongly worded statement threatening to sever diplomatic relations with Sweden if it allowed the Quran burner to repeat his act.
The Iraqi government mentioned in the statement that it informed the Swedish government of its intention to sever diplomatic relations if burning copies of the Holy Quran was repeated.
The incident sparked a wave of anger in the Arab and Islamic regions.
The decision was made during an urgent meeting with senior military and security officials, chaired by the Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, to discuss a security incident in Baghdad, where Iraqi protesters set fire to the Swedish embassy.
The meeting condemned the incident and considered the action a security breach that must be dealt with immediately.
Iraqi protesters set fire to the Swedish embassy in Baghdad ahead of a planned burning of a Quran copy in Sweden, AFP reported.
Swedish authorities approved an assembly to be held outside the Iraqi embassy in Stockholm, where organizers plan to burn a copy of the Quran as well as an Iraqi flag, AFP added.
A day after it was attacked, the Swedish embassy in Iraq announced that it was temporarily relocating its activities to Stockholm.
According to the Swedish foreign ministry, for security considerations, the embassy's activities and its foreign employees have been temporarily moved to Stockholm.
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