SECRETARY-GENERAL APPALLED BY SUICIDE BOMB ATTACK

 

AGAINST SHIA PILGRIMS NEAR BAGHDAD

 

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General is appalled by the suicide bomb attack against Shia pilgrims near Baghdad today, and similar attacks targeting innocent civilians in the past days which have left dozens of people dead and wounded, including many women and children.  These acts cannot be justified by any political or religious cause and must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.  The Secretary-General joins with the people of Iraq in rejecting these cruel and reprehensible attempts to reignite sectarian violence in the country.  He also calls on Iraqi leaders to work together in a spirit of national dialogue and mutual respect as demonstrated during the peaceful provincial elections held last month.

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For information media • not an official record