Security Council

5224^th Meeting (PM)

SECURITY COUNCIL CONDEMNS ASSASSINATION OF EGYPT’S AMBASSADOR TO IRAQ,

REAFFIRMS SUPPORT FOR POLITICAL TRANSITION, IN PRESIDENTIAL STATEMENT

The Security Council this afternoon condemned the assassination of Ihab El-Sherif, Head of the Egyptian Mission to Iraq, and all terrorist attacks in that country, including the attempted assassinations of diplomats from Bahrain and Pakistan, as well as attacks against other civilian personnel.

In a statement (document S/PRST/2005/29) read out by Adamantios Th. Vassilakis (Greece), its President for the month of July, the Council emphasized that there could be no justification for such terrorist acts, and underlined the need to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The Council reaffirmed its unwavering support for the Iraqi people in their political transition, as well as for Iraq’s independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.  It called upon the international community to stand by the Iraqis in their pursuit of peace, stability and democracy.

Council members welcomed Egypt’s continued commitment in that regard, as stated in a letter by its Permanent Representative to the President of the Council (document S/2005/438), and recognized Egypt’s important role and that of other neighbouring countries in supporting the political process, helping control transit across Iraq’s borders and extending other support to the Iraqi people.

The meeting began at 4:10 p.m. and ended at 4:12 p.m.

Presidential Statement

The full text of presidential statement S/PRST/2005/29 reads as follows:

“The Security Council condemns in the strongest possible terms the assassination of the recently appointed Head of the Egyptian Mission to Iraq, H.E. Ambassador Ihab El Sherif, on 7 July, and expresses its condolences to the family of the victim and to the Government and people of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

“The Security Council also condemns all terrorist attacks in Iraq, including the attempted assassinations of diplomats from Bahrain and Pakistan and attacks against other civilian personnel.

“The Security Council emphasizes that there can be no justification for such terrorist acts and underlines the need to bring to justice the perpetrators.

“The Security Council reaffirms its unwavering support for the Iraqi people in their political transition, as outlined in Security Council resolution 1546.  The Security Council also reaffirms Iraq’s independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity and calls upon the international community to stand by the Iraqi people in their pursuit of peace, stability and democracy.

“The Security Council welcomes Egypt’s continued commitment in this regard, as stated in a letter by the Permanent Representative of the Arab Republic of Egypt addressed to the President of the Council (S/2005/438) and recognizes the important role of Egypt and other neighbouring countries in supporting the political process, helping control transit across Iraq’s borders, and extending other support to the Iraqi people.”

* *** *