Secretary Pompeo speaks to COAS Bajwa over Soleimani’s death
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo phoned Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa to discuss the situation in a U.S. attack on Baghdad on Friday after the death of Iranian leader Qassem Soleimani.
“Pakistan’s Chief of Staff General Bajwa and I spoke today about U.S. defensive action to kill Qassem Soleimani,” Pompeo tweeted.
He told General Bajwa, according to the U.S. Secretary of State, that Iran’s activities in the region were “destabilizing” and that the “position of the U.S. in defending American interests, personnel, facilities and allies will not waver.”
Soleimani was killed in a U.S. attack on the international airport in Baghdad on Friday morning.
The Pentagon said President Trump had ordered the “killing” of Soleimani, following this week’s siege by a pro-Iran mob at the US embassy in Iraq.
Pakistan cautiously responded to Iraq’s growth. In a statement, the foreign office said the country believes that “the recent developments in the Middle East, which seriously threaten peace and stability in the region, are deeply concerned.”
“Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity are the fundamental principles of the UN Charter, which should be adhered to,” it said. “It is also important to avoid unilateral actions and [the] use of force.”
The FO called on all sides to exercise full restraint and to engage constructively with diplomatic means to de-escalate the situation.
The Pakistani military said in a separate statement that General Bajwa was addressing the regional situation and possible implications of the recent escalation in the Middle East with Secretary Pompeo.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations, the COAS recommended “full caution” and “constructive engagement” to de-escalate the situation in the interest of peace and stability.
