Megawati Meets Representative of Iraqi Embassy, Discusses Turmoil in the Middle East
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Indonesia’s fifth president, Megawati Soekarnoputri, received a visit from the Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Iraqi Embassy to Indonesia, Ammar Hameed Saadallah Al-Khalidy, at her residence in Menteng, Jakarta, on Monday (27/4/2026).
In the meeting, Megawati and Al-Khalidy discussed the current geopolitical situation in the Middle East, including rising tensions due to conflicts involving Iran.
Al-Khalidy conveyed the official stance of the Iraqi government, condemning the US and Israeli attacks on Iran while rejecting escalation of the conflict in the region.
“Our government officially condemns the US and Israeli attacks on Iran, but also condemns Iran’s retaliatory strikes against its neighbouring countries. We reject this war; we uphold mechanisms of dialogue, negotiation, and peace,” Al-Khalidy emphasised.
He also touched upon his relationship and differing political views with the former US President George W. Bush.
“I was friends with George W. Bush, the US President at that time, but our political stances differed. I rejected the US attack on Iraq in 2003 when I was still President of Indonesia,” said Megawati.
The PDI-P Chairperson also expressed her position following the 11 September 2001 attacks in the United States.
She affirmed her support for efforts to combat terrorism but rejected linking it to any particular religion.
In addition to political dynamics, the meeting also covered the long-standing historical relations between Indonesia and Iraq.
Al-Khalidy recalled the visit of Indonesia’s first president, Soekarno, to Baghdad in 1961.
“We still preserve a documentary film of that historic visit,” said Al-Khalidy.
In the presence of Megawati, Al-Khalidy also expressed hope that the diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Iraq, which have entered their 76th year, can continue to be maintained.
“Indonesia-Iraq relations have reached their 76th year; we continue to hope they remain strong and warm. We also know of Mrs Megawati’s stance as president in rejecting the attack on Iraq in 2003,” he concluded.