Gravely Concerned About Increasing Violence, Secretary-General Urges All Political

 

Leaders to Show National Unity against Threats Facing Iraq

 

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

The Secretary-General is gravely concerned by the serious deterioration of the security situation in Mosul, where thousands of civilians have been displaced in the recent violence.  He strongly condemns the terrorist attacks in Anbar, Baghdad, Diyala, Ninewa, and Salah al-Din Provinces that have killed and wounded scores of civilians over the past several days.  The Secretary-General extends his profound condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government of Iraq.

The Secretary-General urges all political leaders to show national unity against the threats facing Iraq, which can only be addressed on the basis of the Constitution and within the democratic political process.  He encourages the Government of Iraq and the Kurdish Regional Government to cooperate in restoring security to Ninewa Province and in delivering urgently needed humanitarian aid.  The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) stands ready to support these efforts.

The Secretary-General remains deeply concerned about the situation in Anbar.  He welcomes the convening of an Anbar reconciliation conference and strongly encourages all local tribal, political and religious leaders to participate constructively in order to put an end to the fighting.

The Secretary-General recalls that all Member States have an obligation to implement and enforce the targeted financial sanctions, arms embargo and travel ban imposed on the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) under the sanctions regime pursuant to Security Council resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011).

The United Nations, including UNAMI, will continue to support the Government and people of Iraq in building a peaceful, democratic and prosperous country.

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For information media • not an official record