Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq in London Meets Head of the Middle East and North Africa Department at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

His Excellency the Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq to the United Kingdom, Dr Salih Husain Ali Al-Tamimi, met with Mr Rob Dixon, Head of the Middle East and North Africa Department at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), in the presence of the Deputy Head of Department and Director of the Iraq and Yemen Team, Mr David Hunt, at the Ministry’s headquarters in London on 27 April 2026.

Following an exchange of welcomes, discussions focused on the ongoing regional developments in the Middle East and the importance of adopting the language of dialogue and exercising restraint in order to halt the war and pursue diplomatic solutions that would restore calm and stability to the region, safeguard freedom of navigation in international waterways, support economic stability, and ensure the security of global supply chains, in addition to the need to respect the relevant rules of international law.

His Excellency the Ambassador reaffirmed Iraq’s policy of condemning wars and its commitment to resolving disputes through negotiations and diplomatic means. He stressed that Iraq neither has been nor will be part of the conflict, and that attacks launched against Iraq by parties to the conflict are condemned and rejected. He further reiterated Iraq’s firm position rejecting aggression or threats to the regional security of neighbouring states, as well as the use of Iraqi territory as a launching point for any hostile action.

The meeting also addressed ways to strengthen bilateral relations between the Republic of Iraq and the United Kingdom, particularly in the political, security, and economic fields. This included the importance of building partnerships with the private sector and facilitating credit arrangements and visa procedures for investors and businesspeople from both countries, in a manner consistent with the shared interests of the two friendly nations.

At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides agreed on the importance of maintaining coordination and consultation, and of enhancing joint cooperation on issues of mutual interest.

The meeting was attended on the Iraqi side by Counsellor Ahmed Mahdi Salih and Second Secretary Noor Abdulzahra Mohammed from the Political Section. Mr Raoul Hodgson of the Iraq Team at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office also attended.