Iraq expresses deep concern over diplomatic row bet. Saudi Arabia, Canada
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Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Iraq expressed on Wednesday its deep concern over the recent developments in relations between Saudi Arabia and Canada after the latter called for the immediate release of civil society activists in the Arab country.
In a press release, quoted by AlSumaria News, spokesman for the Iraqi Foreign Ministry Ahmed Mahgoub called on the two sides “to settle their differences, hold high the interests of the two countries and recall the long history of their positive relations.”
Mahgoub stressed that fighting terrorism and easing growing tension in the world are necessary “to maintain international peace and security.”
On Monday, Saudi Arabia gave the Canadian ambassador in Riyadh 24 hours to leave the country and recalled its envoy to Canada after the North American country called for the release of arrested civil rights activists.
“The Canadian position is an overt and blatant interference in the internal affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and is in contravention of the most basic international norms and all the charters governing relations between States,” the Saudi foreign ministry said on Twitter.
Earlier, the Canadian foreign ministry and the Canadian embassy in Riyadh expressed concerns over the arrests of human rights activists, including award-winning gender rights activist Samar Badawi, in a new wave of detentions. They called on Saudi authorities to “immediately release” the detainees.