Security Council

7093^rd Meeting (PM)

Security Council presidential statement Deplores Al-Qaida Attacks in Iraq Province,

Recognizes ‘Great Courage’ needed to Defeat It

 

Deploring in the strongest terms recent events in Ramadi and Fallujah in Iraq’s Anbar Province, the Security Council today condemned the attacks by Al-Qaida affiliate, the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), in an attempt to destabilize the country and the region.

A late-breaking statement read out by Zeid Ra’ad Zeid Al-Hussein (Jordan), whose delegation holds the Council’s January presidency, recognized that Iraqi security forces, local police and tribes in Anbar Province were “showing great courage” as they fought to defeat the affiliate Al-Qaida group in their cities.  It urged them to continue, expand and strengthen their cooperation against violence and terror in the province. 

The Council expressed strong support for Iraqi Government efforts to help meet the security needs of the entire population, acknowledging the efforts of the security forces and local police, whose members were being targeted and killed in the ongoing attacks.  It welcomed the Government’s commitment in protecting civilians in Fallujah and elsewhere, and encouraged it to continue working with the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) and humanitarian agencies.  

Also by the text, it welcomed comments from Grand Ayatollah Sistani welcoming internally displaced residents of Anbar to Najaf and Karbala, as well as the commitment of a number of communities — Sunni, Shia and Kurd — to meet the needs of the displaced.

The Council stressed the critical importance of continued national dialogue and unity, an inclusive political process, the holding of free and fair elections in April 2014 and the right to peaceful protest as guaranteed under the Iraqi Constitution.  “This is vital to underpin a unified national stance against terrorism”, the Council said in the statement.

It reaffirmed that “ISIL” was subjected to the arms embargo and assets freeze imposed by resolutions 1267 (1999) and 2083 (2012), and underlined the importance of the measures’ prompt implementation.  It also reaffirmed its support for the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Iraq, reiterating that no terrorist act could reverse the path towards peace, democracy and reconstruction in the country.

Mohamed Ali Alhakim (Iraq) thanked the Council for its support of Iraq’s efforts to combat terrorism.  Stressing the need to eliminate that international scourge, he said that aim would only be achieved through the full cooperation of all States and international organizations, as well as implementation of binding resolutions with a view to protecting international peace and security.

“The defeat of Al-Qaida and the remnants of ISIL is the beginning of their defeat in the other States of the region,” he said, urging that international efforts be coordinated with a view to achieving that “noble” objective.  Iraqis had stood as a united front against terrorism in all regions of the country, with particular attention to restoring Anbar Province and Fallujah to its inhabitants.  He thanked the soldiers, police and tribal men and women who had played an important role in ending the control of Al-Qaida elements in their cities.

The meeting began at 5:36 p.m. and ended at 5:47 p.m.

Presidential Statement

The full text of presidential statement S/PRST/2014/1 reads as follows:

“The Security Council deplores in the strongest terms the recent events in the cities of Ramadi and Fallujah in Anbar province in Iraq.  The Security Council condemns the attacks that are being perpetrated by Al-Qaida affiliate, the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), against the people of Iraq in an attempt to destabilize the country and region.  The Security Council recognizes that Iraqi security forces, local police and tribes in Anbar Province are showing great courage as they fight to defeat ISIL in their cities. 

“The Security Council urges the people of Iraq, including Iraqi tribes, local leaders, and Iraqi security forces in Anbar Province, to continue, expand and strengthen their cooperation against violence and terror and it stresses the critical importance of continued national dialogue and unity.  The Security Council welcomes comments from Grand Ayatollah Sistani welcoming internally displaced residents of Anbar to Najaf and Karbala, as well as the commitment of a number of communities — Sunni, Shia and Kurd — to meet the needs of the displaced.

“The Security Council expresses its strong support for the continued efforts of the Iraqi Government to help meet the security needs of the entire population of Iraq.  In this regard, the Security Council acknowledges the efforts of the Iraqi security forces and Iraqi local police, whose members are also being targeted and killed in ongoing attacks by terrorists.  The Security Council welcomes the commitment of the Government of Iraq in the protection of the civilian population in Fallujah and elsewhere and to the provision of humanitarian relief, and encourages the Government of Iraq to continue working with the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) and humanitarian agencies to ensure the delivery of humanitarian relief.  The Security Council expresses concern about the impact of the violence on civilians, and encourages the safe passage of civilians trapped in conflict areas, as well as the safe return of internally displaced persons as conditions allow.

“The Security Council stresses the critical importance of continued national dialogue and unity, an inclusive political process, the holding of free and fair elections in April 2014, and the right to peaceful protest as guaranteed under the Iraqi Constitution.  The Security Council believes that this is vital to underpin a unified national stance against terrorism, and to ensure Iraq’s long-term security.

“The Security Council reaffirms the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice, and urges all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with Iraqi authorities in this regard.

“The Security Council reaffirms that ISIL (QE.J.115.04) is subject to the arms embargo and assets freeze imposed by Security Council resolutions 1267 (1999) and 2083 (2012) and underlines the importance of prompt and effective implementation of these measures.

“The Security Council reaffirms the need to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts, and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed.  The Security Council reminds States that they must ensure that measures taken to combat terrorism comply with all their obligations under international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law.

“The Security Council reaffirms its support for the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Iraq.  The Security Council reiterates that no terrorist act can reverse the path towards peace, democracy and reconstruction in Iraq, which is supported by the people and the Government of Iraq and the international community.”

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For information media • not an official record