Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein followed up on the safety of the diplomatic staff in Beirut and Damascus today, Friday. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that "Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Fuad Hussein made a phone call to the chargés d'affaires and consuls concerned in our missions." The statement added that "under the directives of Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Fuad Hussein, the ministry continues, through the formed crisis cell, to follow up periodically and daily with our embassies in Beirut and Damascus to ensure the safety of Iraqi citizens from the community and the displaced in conflict areas, and to ensure their safety and provide them with basic services," stressing "the importance of the safety of the diplomatic staff who work tirelessly to provide the necessary care and services to the Iraqi community there." The minister praised "the services provided by them and the efforts of the staff under these difficult circumstances," reiterati ng "the ministry's continued keenness on the safety of employees and members of the community, and its full readiness to facilitate tasks and provide the necessary support." The ministry pledged to "provide the best services to Iraqi citizens in all difficult circumstances, and to ensure full support for them through its diplomatic and consular missions. Source: National Iraqi News Agency