Johnson says UK committed to Iraq's stability

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday underscored his country's commitment to Iraq's stability and sovereignty during a phone call with Iraqi caretaker Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, a Downing Street spokesperson said.

"The leaders discussed the need to deescalate tensions in the region following the death of Qassem Soleimani and agreed to work together to find a diplomatic way forward," said the spokesperson.

"The Prime Minister underlined the UK's unwavering commitment to Iraq's stability and sovereignty and emphasised the importance of the continued fight against the shared threat from Daesh (Islamic State)," the spokesperson added.

Tensions soared in the Middle East after a U.S. airstrike near Baghdad International Airport killed Soleimani, commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Quds Force, on Jan. 3, with Iran vowing to take "tough revenge."

The Iraqi parliament on Sunday passed a resolution requiring the government to end the presence of foreign forces in Iraq and prevent them from using Iraqi airspace and waters.

According to British media, Johnson was not warned in advance about the attack. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Friday that European allies had not been "as helpful" as he hoped over the killing of Soleimani.

British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace has ordered the Royal Navy to accompany British-flagged vessels through the Strait of Hormuz to provide protection amid high tensions in the region.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)