Iraqi envoy back in Amman as new gov’t takes shape in Baghdad

AMMAN — Iraqi Ambassador to Jordan Jawad Hadi Abbas recently returned to Amman after nearly six weeks since he was called home following a conference held by Iraqi opposition figures in Amman. 

Minister plenipotentiary of the Iraqi embassy Tahseen Alwan told The Jordan Times over the phone on Tuesday that Abbas returned early this month to resume his diplomatic duties. 

The ambassador was recalled by the former government of Nouri Al Maliki on July 19 for urgent consultations days after a gathering was held in Jordan for Iraqi figures representing Sunni and tribal leaders and businessmen, who launched their first unified coalition calling on the international community to boycott the Maliki government.

But Alwan refused to say there was a diplomatic spat between Amman and Baghdad over the conference, stressing that the ambassador was on a holiday. 

“There is no political stance against Jordan,” he said, adding the two neighbouring countries have always enjoyed good ties. 

But the Iraqi News Agency said at the time that recalling the ambassador came as a response to Amman’s allowing the opposition’s gathering.

Jordan has always stressed it never intended to interfere in Iraq’s internal affairs and will never do so. 

Last month, Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour said the gathering in Amman was held by moderate figures and took place in a moderate country that has always called for maintaining the unity of Iraq.   

On Monday, Iraq’s parliament officially named Haider Al Abadi as the country’s new prime minister and approved most of the candidates put forward for his Cabinet amid mounting pressure to form an inclusive government that can collectively cap the advance of terrorist groups.