Iraq: UN envoy continues top-level talks on political and security developments

Continuing his consultations with Iraqi leaders, the top United Nations envoy in the violence-wracked country today discussed the latest political and security developments with President Jalal Talibani.

A day after holding talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki, Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Representative Ashraf Qazi briefed Mr. Talibani on his recent trips to Abu Dhabi, New York and Washington, as well as the high-level meetings convened by Mr. Annan on the International Compact with Iraq (ICI).

The ICI was launched in July in an effort to end the killings and bring stability to Iraq and Mr. Annan has warned that without greater global support, Iraq will fail to attain peace.

“President Talbani expressed his appreciation for the United Nations partnership with Iraq on the ICI and looked forward to the implementation phase of commitments made by both Iraq and the international community,” the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) said in a statement.

Mr. Talibani informed Mr. Qazi of progress made on the various initiatives, including the ‘Pledge to Stop the Bloodshed’ announced by Mr. Al-Maliki and other Iraqi leaders on Sunday, “which would hopefully bring down the level of sectarian violence,” the statement added. The two also discussed the human rights situation.