The German defense minister will not go to Iraq because of the protests against the burning of the Koran.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius canceled a visit to Baghdad scheduled for Sunday due to security concerns due to ongoing protests in Iraq against the burning of the Koran in Sweden and Denmark, mass media reports.

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Defense Minister Boris Pistorius’ trip to Iraq was canceled at the last minute for security reasons on Sunday.

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The decision was made on the recommendation of the Federal Criminal Police Office in the wake of the riots outside the Swedish embassy in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad and attacks on Danish refugee agencies in Basra province. In Berlin, they did not rule out that the riots could spread to other Western representations.

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“Pistorius intended to meet on Monday with Bundeswehr soldiers stationed in Baghdad, and a meeting with an Iraqi counterpart was also scheduled,”  mass media says.

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The Bundeswehr is participating in a NATO training mission to prepare the Iraqi armed forces to fight terrorist groups.