Baghdad Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Fouad Hussein, received today, Sunday, a phone call from Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong. During the call, they discussed bilateral relations and ways to strengthen them and advance them to what meets the ambitions of the two friendly peoples.

The two Ministers discussed the rapid developments in the region and the dangerous events taking place in the occupied Palestinian territories. They stressed the importance of continuing efforts to find a quick solution to what is happening, and that the continued escalation of events has serious repercussions on regional and international peace and security. They agreed to maintain communication and joint efforts to achieve a ceasefire and contain the situation to the struggle to reach comprehensive and just solutions.

For her part, Penny Wong expressed her concern over the situation in the Middle East, and pointed out the need to maintain the security of embassies and diplomatic missions operating in Iraq.

For his part, the Minister stressed that one of the duties of the Iraqi government is to maintain the security of all foreigners present in the Iraqi arena, and that protecting diplomatic missions is part of the duties of the competent security forces, adding that Iraqi and international laws impose this protection on Iraq, and in terms of the situation in the region, Minister Hussein expressed that he shares the Australian Minister’s concern, and that it is necessary to work with all parties with the aim of not expanding the scope of the war.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency