Menu
01/05/2003
British diplomats return to Baghdad
Britain is to resume diplomatic relation with Iraq, Foreign Secretary Jack Straw announced today.
Mr Straw revealed that British diplomats would be returning to Iraq to re-establish a presence for the first time since the embassy was closed in 1991.
The Foreign Secretary said: "I am pleased to announce that a team of British diplomats will be travelling to Baghdad this weekend to open a British Office in the capital.
"Christopher Segar, who was Deputy Head of Mission at our Embassy in Baghdad before it closed in 1991, will be leading the team as Head of the British Office. His role will be to work with ORHA and other organisations on the ground in supporting reconstruction work and to maintain contact with emerging political figures within Iraq.
"With his previous experience and knowledge of Iraq, Christopher will play a key role in reviving and restoring Britain’s links with the people of Iraq who have for so long been deprived of contact with the wider world.
"I hope that they will see this deployment as a further sign of our determination to help Iraq return to its rightful place within the international community, as befits a nation and a people with such a rich history and culture."
Immediately prior to taking up this new role, Christopher Segar was Head of Aviation, Maritime and Energy Department in the FCO. He was Counsellor, Consul-General and Deputy Head of Mission in Baghdad in 1990. He will be accompanied initially by a team of three officials.
The mission will open as a British Office initially, with a view to upgrading to full Embassy status once a new administration is in place.
(GMcG)
Mr Straw revealed that British diplomats would be returning to Iraq to re-establish a presence for the first time since the embassy was closed in 1991.
The Foreign Secretary said: "I am pleased to announce that a team of British diplomats will be travelling to Baghdad this weekend to open a British Office in the capital.
"Christopher Segar, who was Deputy Head of Mission at our Embassy in Baghdad before it closed in 1991, will be leading the team as Head of the British Office. His role will be to work with ORHA and other organisations on the ground in supporting reconstruction work and to maintain contact with emerging political figures within Iraq.
"With his previous experience and knowledge of Iraq, Christopher will play a key role in reviving and restoring Britain’s links with the people of Iraq who have for so long been deprived of contact with the wider world.
"I hope that they will see this deployment as a further sign of our determination to help Iraq return to its rightful place within the international community, as befits a nation and a people with such a rich history and culture."
Immediately prior to taking up this new role, Christopher Segar was Head of Aviation, Maritime and Energy Department in the FCO. He was Counsellor, Consul-General and Deputy Head of Mission in Baghdad in 1990. He will be accompanied initially by a team of three officials.
The mission will open as a British Office initially, with a view to upgrading to full Embassy status once a new administration is in place.
(GMcG)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
26 April 2010
Yemen Ambassador Escapes Bombing
A suspected suicide bomber has targeted a convoy transporting the British ambassador to Yemen. The senior diplomat, Timothy Torlot, was in a convoy travelling to the embassy, situated on a hill overlooking the city, when the bomb was detonated.
Yemen Ambassador Escapes Bombing
A suspected suicide bomber has targeted a convoy transporting the British ambassador to Yemen. The senior diplomat, Timothy Torlot, was in a convoy travelling to the embassy, situated on a hill overlooking the city, when the bomb was detonated.
19 July 2004
British soldier dies in Basrah helicopter crash
A British soldier has died after an RAF helicopter crashed in southern Iraq today. The MoD confirmed that the soldier was killed in "an accident" involving an RAF Puma helicopter at Basrah International Airport. Two other British military personnel were injured during the incident.
British soldier dies in Basrah helicopter crash
A British soldier has died after an RAF helicopter crashed in southern Iraq today. The MoD confirmed that the soldier was killed in "an accident" involving an RAF Puma helicopter at Basrah International Airport. Two other British military personnel were injured during the incident.
26 April 2004
New UK ambassador to Iraq named
Britain's new ambassador to Iraq, who will take up his post in Baghdad after the official handover of power to the interim Iraqi government, has been named today.
New UK ambassador to Iraq named
Britain's new ambassador to Iraq, who will take up his post in Baghdad after the official handover of power to the interim Iraqi government, has been named today.
07 December 2005
Hostage pleads for troop withdrawal in Iraq
British hostage Norman Kember has called on Prime Minister Tony Blair to withdraw British troops from Iraq in a new video. The video, which was shown on the Internet, showed Mr Kember, 74, in handcuffs and shackles, along with the three other hostages, seized along with him in Baghdad nearly two weeks ago.
Hostage pleads for troop withdrawal in Iraq
British hostage Norman Kember has called on Prime Minister Tony Blair to withdraw British troops from Iraq in a new video. The video, which was shown on the Internet, showed Mr Kember, 74, in handcuffs and shackles, along with the three other hostages, seized along with him in Baghdad nearly two weeks ago.
05 January 2004
Two British soldiers killed in Baghdad car crash
Two British soldiers have been killed in a car accident in Baghdad, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed today. The pair, Major James Stenner, 30, of the Welsh Guards, and Sergeant Norman Patterson, 28, of the Cheshire Regiment, were killed following a road traffic accident in Baghdad early on 1 January.
Two British soldiers killed in Baghdad car crash
Two British soldiers have been killed in a car accident in Baghdad, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed today. The pair, Major James Stenner, 30, of the Welsh Guards, and Sergeant Norman Patterson, 28, of the Cheshire Regiment, were killed following a road traffic accident in Baghdad early on 1 January.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
