New Zealand permanently closes embassy in Iraq amid recent attacks on military bases
New Zealand will close its embassy in Baghdad by the end of this month, after withdrawing most of its troops from Iraq. The decision comes in the wake of recurrent rocket strikes near the Iraqi capital
New Zealand’s Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters said on Tuesday that the closure was not a reflection of the relationship with Iraq. He explained that the withdrawal of forces from the country earlier this year has removed the primary rationale for the embassy in Baghdad.
“Despite the closure of the embassy, our firm commitment to the international struggle against terrorism remains,” the foreign affairs minister said.