Security Council Press Statement on Iraq

 

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Vitaly I. Churkin (Russian Federation):

The members of the Security Council received a briefing on 4 June from Special Representative of the Secretary-General Nickolay Mladenov on the situation in Iraq.  They expressed their support for the difficult and important work he has undertaken in Iraq and for ongoing United Nations assistance in support of the Iraqi people and Government.

The members of the Security Council praised Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission, the Iraqi security forces, and the Iraqi people, candidates, and coalitions for carrying out a successful election despite ongoing security challenges presented by terrorist groups, in particular the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.  They reiterate their call on all political entities to work together in an inclusive and timely political process aimed at strengthening Iraq’s national unity, sovereignty and independence; and for Iraq’s leaders to engage, as quickly as possible, to form a Government that represents the will and sovereignty of the Iraqi people.  They believe that through its democratic institutions, in cooperation with Iraqi society, Iraq can work to address the challenges facing the country for the benefit of all Iraqis.  The members of the Security Council encourage Baghdad and Erbil to reach an accord on all pending subjects including energy exports and revenue sharing in line with Iraq’s international commitments.

The members of the Security Council reaffirm their support for the efforts of the Iraqi Government to help meet the security needs of the entire population of Iraq, particularly in the current challenging security environment.  They emphasize support for the Government of Iraq’s efforts to engage with local civilian leaders in Anbar and its calls for a conference on the situation in Anbar.  They encourage 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 to Iraqis in need.  In this regard, Special Representative Mladenov indicated that the United Nations and Government of Iraq Strategic Response Plan, launched on 5 March to assist individuals affected by the ongoing conflict in Anbar, with a total requirement of $103.7 million, is just 10 per cent funded.  The members of the Security Council encourage Member States to support the appeal and the Iraqi people.

The members of the Security Council reiterate that no act of violence or terrorism can reverse a path towards peace, democracy and reconstruction in Iraq, underpinned by the rule of law and respect for human rights, which is supported by the people and the Government of Iraq and the international community.  They remind States that they must ensure that measures taken to combat terrorism comply with all their obligations under international law, in particular human rights, refugee and humanitarian law.  The members of the Security Council also remind Member States of their obligation to implement and enforce the targeted financial sanctions, arms embargo and travel ban imposed on the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant under the sanctions regime pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011).

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For information media • not an official record