PRESS STATEMENT ON BAGHDAD BOMBING BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

PRESS STATEMENT ON BAGHDAD BOMBING BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

The following press statement was issued today by the President of the Security Council, Fayssal Mekdad (Syria):

Members of the Council were shocked to hear of the terrorist criminal attack against the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad.

Members of the Security Council have heard a briefing by Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs on the bombing today of the United Nations compound in Baghdad, resulting in deaths and injuries.  They condemned, in the strongest terms, this terrorist attack.  Such terrorist incidents cannot break the will of the international community to further intensify its efforts to help the people of Iraq.

Members of the Council reaffirmed that this horrible attack that aimed at undermining the vital role of the United Nations in Iraq will not affect their determination and members of the Council will stay united against such attacks and to help the Iraqi people restore peace and stability to their country.

Members of the Council expressed their sincere condolences to the bereaved families, and wished all injured a quick recovery.

The United Nations mission in Iraq has been established by the Security Council to help the Iraqi people to achieve their objectives.  The United Nations is in Iraq on a mission of peace, and for the reconstruction of the country and to support the Iraqi people.  Therefore, it is all the more shocking that this attack occurred.

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