Secretary-General Strongly Condemns Seizure of Turkey’s Mosul Consulate

In Iraq, Calling for Release of Abducted Consul General, Staff Members

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

The Secretary-General strongly condemns the seizure this morning of the Turkish consulate in Mosul by extremist groupsand the abduction of the Consul General, along with several staff members and other Turkish citizens.  He recalls the fundamental principle of the inviolability of consular premises and calls for the immediate, unconditional and safe release of those abducted.

The Secretary-General calls on the international community to send a clear message that terrorist acts are unacceptable and those responsible must be held to account.

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For information media • not an official record