Condemning Devastating Bomb Attack on Iraq Market, Secretary-General Expresses Hope Perpetrators Will Be Swiftly Brought to Justice

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

The Secretary-General condemns in the strongest terms the devastating bomb attack on 17 July on a busy market in Khan Bani Saad, an Iraqi town north of the capital Baghdad.  The attack, which comes at a time when the Iraqi people are celebrating the end of the holy month of Ramadan, reportedly left over 100 civilians killed and many more injured, including children.

The Secretary-General’s thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families.  He hopes that the perpetrators of this heinous crime are swiftly brought to justice.  He stands in solidarity with the people and Government of Iraq.