‘APPALLED’ SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS IRAQ SUICIDE BOMBINGS

The Secretary-General condemns the appalling suicide bombings since yesterday in Baghdad and Diyala, which reportedly killed at least 140 people including a large number of visiting Iranian pilgrims.  He expresses his deepest condolences to the families of the victims.  The Secretary-General is particularly dismayed by reports that one of the bombers was a woman accompanied by a 5-year-old child.  No cause or grievance can justify such reprehensible acts.

The Secretary-General joins the people of Iraq in rejecting these attempts to incite further violence in the country.  He reiterates the United Nations commitment to supporting Iraq in the efforts to achieve lasting peace and national reconciliation.

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