Security Council Press Statement on Iraq

 

The following Security Council press statement on Iraq was delivered today by Council President Johan C. Verbeke ( Belgium):

As required by resolution 1723 (2006), members of the Security Council discussed on 13June  the mandate of the Multinational Force (MNF) in Iraq, and certain arrangements for the Development Fund for Iraq (DFI) and the International Advisory and Monitoring Board (IAMB).

The members of the Security Council received a briefing by Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, who provided the Council with an update on current developments in Iraq, including the implementation of the Government of Iraq’s Baghdad Security Plan and on its political, economic and reconciliation efforts.  United States Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad reported to the members of the Council on behalf of MNF-I the efforts of the force.  As requested by the Government of Iraq in its 8 June  letter, the members of the Council agreed upon the continuation of the MNF-I mandate and of the arrangements for the DFI and IAMB, in accordance with resolution 1723 (2006).

The members of the Security Council also received a briefing from Special Representative Ashraf Qazi on the activities of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI), and congratulated him for his tireless and determined efforts on behalf of Iraq.  The members of the Security Council expressed their appreciation for ongoing United Nations support and encouraged continued and robust United Nations assistance in support of the Iraqi people and Government.  To this end, they welcomed planning for the construction of a new UNAMI compound in Baghdad.

The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms today’s abhorrent attack on the holy shrines of Imam Ali al-Hadi and Imam Hassan al-Askari in Samarra, and call on all Iraqis to exercise restraint and reject this provocation.

The members of the Security Council reiterated their call upon the international community, particularly the countries in the region, to support Iraq in its pursuit of peace, stability and prosperity.  They reaffirmed their strong support for the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Iraq.

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For information media • not an official record