The Iraqi prime minister was exposed to an embarrassing situation when the flag of the Republic of Ireland appeared instead of Italy, during the reception ceremony of Prime Minister Muhammad Shia al-Sudani for his Italian counterpart, Georgia Meloni, today, Friday, December 23, 2022.
Photo Coverage/ The Prime Minister @mohamedshia receives the Italian Prime Minister Ms. @GiorgiaMeloni and her accompanying delegation, in an official reception ceremony that took place this Friday morning.
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- Media Office of the Prime Minister 🇮🇶 (@IraqiPMO) December 23, 2022
During Meloni's reception at the Iraqi government headquarters in the capital, Baghdad, the Irish flag with its three colors (green, white and orange) appeared behind the Prime Minister of Italy, whose flag is green, white and red, which is a protocol error that sparked controversy on social media platforms.
Prime Minister @mohamedshia expressed appreciation to the Italian Prime Minister @Giorgia Meloni for the Italian role in the Global Coalition Against Daesh, stressing Iraq's aspiration to enhance partnerships and expand investment with Italy and all European Union countries.
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- Media Office of the Prime Minister 🇮🇶 (@IraqiPMO) December 23, 2022
According to the media office of the Iraqi prime minister, "Al-Sudani will hold talks with the Italian delegation, related to bilateral relations between the two countries, and ways to enhance mutual cooperation in various fields."
Not the first protocol error
Iraqi officials have previously made protocol errors.
During the ceremony for President Abd al-Latif Rashid taking office on October 17, 2022, Rashid broke the rules of protocol after skipping red carpets on his way to enter the Peace Palace in Baghdad before being alerted by the officer in charge.
In early November 2022, Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid topped social media, due to a protocol error during his visit to Algeria to participate in the 31st Arab Summit.
During his reception by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Rachid continued to walk the red carpet, passing the honorary guards, who are supposed - according to the protocols in force internationally - to stand in front of them.
In the last moments, Rachid backed off, lined up next to his Algerian counterpart, and saluted the guards.
On January 14, 2019, Palestinian flags were raised in the streets of the capital, Baghdad, as part of a campaign organized by the Presidency of the Republic to welcome King Abdullah II of Jordan.
The party concerned with arranging the ceremony to welcome the King of Jordan made a protocol error when the Palestinian flag was displayed on giant screens in the streets of Baghdad, thinking that it was the Jordanian flag, before the error was later rectified, and the Jordanian flag was placed next to the Iraqi flag on the screens.