Riyadh: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Fuad Hussein met today with relatives of Iraqi detainees in Saudi Arabia to address concerns about their conditions and reassure them of the ongoing efforts being made for their release.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Hussein engaged with the families to understand the circumstances surrounding the detention of their sons during Umrah and the subsequent hardships endured. The families urged the Iraqi government to intervene for the detainees’ release and safe return home.

The Minister emphasized his commitment to personally overseeing the issue with Saudi authorities, highlighting positive signs and cooperation from the Saudi side, who have shown willingness to work towards resolving this humanitarian matter.

He assured that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, via the Iraqi Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General in Jeddah, is persistently pursuing diplomatic avenues to safeguard Iraqi citizens and uphold their rights abroad.

Fouad Hussein also instructed the ministry’s relevant departments to address the detainees’ families’ needs, providing necessary legal and humanitarian support. He reiterated that the Iraqi government is prioritizing this issue, utilizing all diplomatic and official channels to secure the detainees’ release and return to their families.