BAGHDAD, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani reiterated Monday his government's commitment to protecting diplomatic missions in the country.
He made the remarks in a phone call from David Cameron, British secretary of state for foreign, commonwealth and development affairs, said a statement by the Iraqi prime minister's media office.
The two officials reviewed "the security and political situation in the region, including the latest developments in the Palestinian issue," it added.
Al-Sudani confirmed "Iraq's commitment to protecting advisors and diplomatic missions operating in Iraq, as required by norms, laws, and international agreements," stressing Iraq's rejection of any violation of its sovereignty and harm to the country's reputation, according to the statement.
Al-Sudani pointed out that the Iraqi government and security forces are keen to pursue the perpetrators of any attack on missions and advisors' sites, and that they will deal with them in accordance with the laws and the interests and security of Iraq.
For his part, Cameron expressed his appreciation for the Iraqi government's position in protecting diplomatic missions, stressing his government's ambition to develop relations with Iraq and expand partnership horizons.
U.S. military bases in Iraq and Syria have recently become targets of attacks by armed Shiite militias as part of retaliatory measures for the U.S. support of Israel in its ongoing conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
The repeated attacks by Iraqi militias prompted the U.S. forces to conduct airstrikes on positions of the Iraqi paramilitary Hashd Shaabi forces that killed around a dozen fighters and wounded others. ■
