Iraq recalls ambassador from Jordan over image with Lebanese singer Ragheb Alama

Iraq has summoned its ambassador to Jordan after he was pictured hosting Lebanese pop star Ragheb Alama and his wife, according to reports.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is bringing the ambassador of the Republic of Iraq to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Haider Al-Adhari, to Baghdad," a statement by the authority said.

Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Al-Sahaf said in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "We are following with interest what has been circulated on social media, including images concerned with the ambassador of the Republic of Iraq in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

"The ministry draws the attention of the media and public opinion to the fact that it will take appropriate measures in this regard as soon as possible, in a manner that enhances the values ​​of Iraqi diplomacy," he added.

شكراً من القلب لسعادة السفير العراقي في #الأردن السيد حيدر منصور العذاري وزوجته السيّدة ميسم الربيعي على هذه الاستضافة الكريمة والرائعة والمُمتعة، وعلى هذا الترحيب والاستقبال الطيّب.
أسعدني جداً لقاؤكم الجميل في تلك الأجواء القريبة من القلب والمليئة بالحب والفرح 🙏❤️#راغب_علامة pic.twitter.com/ZyEQiENxm1

— RaghebAlama (@raghebalama) August 19, 2022

The controversy erupted after the Lebanese singer posted images on Friday from a get together with the Iraqi diplomat. “Thank you from the heart to His Excellency the Iraqi Ambassador in Jordan Mr. Haider Mansour Al-Adhari and his wife, Mrs. Maysam Al-Rubaie, for this generous, wonderful and enjoyable hosting, and for this welcome and kind reception,” Alama said.

“I was very pleased to meet you in such an atmosphere close to the heart and full of love and joy,” he said in the Arabic tweet. Social media users quickly moved to condemn the images as “undiplomatic”, while others took aim at the ambassador’s wife for “hugging” the Lebanese singer.

Alama was in Jordan for a performance at the Fuheis Festival. 

It is unclear what repercussions will be imposed on the ambassador.