Annan vehemently condemns attacks on international diplomats in Iraq

Vehemently condemning the recent spate of attacks against diplomats in Iraq, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today said he hoped the incidents would not weaken the resolve of the international community to stand with the Iraqi people at this critical juncture in their history.

"The Secretary-General is deeply dismayed by the rash of attacks in recent days against representatives of the international diplomatic community in Iraq," spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said in a statement condemning the incidents, including the kidnapping of the chargé d'affaires of Egypt, as well as the attempted assassinations of diplomats from Bahrain and Pakistan.

"There can be no justification for the targeting of diplomats," Mr. Dujarric said, adding that the Secretary-General expected that the perpetrators of these acts would be quickly apprehended and brought to justice.