UN envoy condemns assassination attempt on Iraq’s deputy prime minister

The senior United Nations envoy to Iraq today strongly condemned the recent assassination attempt against Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Salam Z. Al-Zubai, joining Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who met with the leader in Baghdad just one day before the attack, in extending best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Mr. Ban’s Special Representative to Iraq, Ashraf Qazi issued a statement calling the act “cowardly and despicable,” while warning that “the targeting of political leaders is intended to stoke the flames of division and undermine the Iraqi Government’s efforts to stabilize the country.”

He wished Mr. Al-Zubai a speedy recovery and extended his deep condolences for the death of his brother, Abdul Rahaman Al-Zubai, and other close relatives, as well as to the families who had lost their loved ones “in this criminal attack.”

Mr. Ban, who met the Deputy Prime Minister during his official visit on 22 March, sent a personal letter to “condemning the heinous attack and wishing him full and speedy recovery,” the statement noted.

The Secretary-General also issued a statement on Friday in which he paid tribute to Mr. Al-Zubai’s “readiness to serve Iraq at a great personal risk.”