Libya severs relations with Iraq

Libya announced yesterday severing its diplomatic relations with Iraq and closing its embassy in Baghdad because of the American decision to end diplomatic immunity all diplomats in Iraq.

A statement issued by the general secretariat of the people's committee for the Libyan African unity said that Libya decided to sever its diplomatic relations with Iraq and to close its embassy and to summon all working staff in it.

The statement justified this decision by the practices committed by the Anglo - American occupation forces against diplomatic missions in Baghdad and the canceling of their diplomatic immunity. The statement held the occupation authority responsible for protecting its employees until they return back home and the headquarters of the embassy.

The Libyan statement stressed that this decision will not affect relations between the two peoples, noting that these relations will return back normal when Iraq restores back its freedom and sovereignty.