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UN envoy to Iraq briefs Russian Foreign Minister; Russia pledges support

UN envoy to Iraq briefs Russian Foreign Minister; Russia pledges support

SRSG Ashraf Qazi
The United Nations envoy to Iraq today briefed Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the situation in the troubled country, focusing on the 15 December elections and the role of the UN Assistance Mission (UNAMI).

The United Nations envoy to Iraq today briefed Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the situation in the troubled country, focusing on the 15 December elections and the role of the UN Assistance Mission (UNAMI).

UNAMI said that Ashraf Qazi had been invited to Moscow by the minister, who had also expressed his “appreciation” for the UN role in Iraq the country and “promised continued Russian support.”

Mr. Qazi discussed the United Iraqi Alliance’s nomination of Prime Minister Ibrahim Al-Jaafari to head the first elected Government, the emergence of new alliances in Iraq and the likely formation of the new Government, the mission added.

Earlier this week, the Security Council welcomed the announcement of Iraq’s election results, congratulating its people for their commitment to a peaceful political process and calling on political leaders to work towards a fully inclusive government.

“The Security Council stresses the importance of inclusiveness, national dialogue and unity as Iraq’s political development moves forward,” the Council President said on Tuesday, adding that the 15-member body unanimously condemned acts of terrorism in Iraq and said such violence should not be allowed to disrupt the country’s progress.