The Australian Special Forces' "level of engagement" in Iraq remains unclear after the country's new foreign minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari said it was against foreign military bases and the presence of foreign military troops. The Guardian reported that the Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has confirmed the legalities regarding the presence of special forces troops in the country. Mr Abbott said the legal clearance was included in the status of forces agreement which is expected to be approved within days.

The prime minister said since the new government of Iraq is still in the early stages of regrouping, it might take a while to put up legal protections for Australia's troops in Iraq. He is confident the legal barriers will be taken down in the coming days.

The Australian troops were stuck in the United Arab Emirates as they continue to wait for the clearance to allow them to advise Iraqi military forces in the fight against ISIS. Reports said the clearance has been processed for weeks.

Al-Jaafari was quoted by media saying that Iraq was against the presence of foreign troops on the ground. He admitted the country asked for help against ISIS but it was only for air cover. The Iraqi minister's comments had appeared to question the status of foreign troops currently on the ground in Iraq. Small groups of military forces from the U.S., UK and Germany are already carrying out their advisory roles to Iraqi ground troops.

Meanwhile, Mr Abbott denied the idea that the Iraqi government was wavering about the presence of foreign troops in the country. When he was asked by reporters if the new Iraqi prime minister, Haider al-Abadia, was reluctant about Australia sending troops to his country, Mr Abbott remarked he had made it clear that Australia was willing to help.

The prime minister said weeks ago that the Iraqi prime minister knows Australian special forces troops were ready to go and contribute in the fight against ISIS but they will only be send if they have legal protection. Mr Abbott reiterated that Australia was not proposing an independent combat mission because the troops will only carry out advise-and-assist missions to help Iraqi forces reclaim the territories claimed by ISIS.