UN envoy deplores blast at Baghdad’s Al-Khillani mosque
The top United Nations envoy in Iraq has condemned the attack on the Al-Khillani mosque in the heart of Baghdad – resulting in the death and injury of more than 200 – warning that the increased targeting of places of worship is aimed at pushing the country further into a sectarian war.
The top United Nations envoy in Iraq has condemned the attack on the Al-Khillani mosque in the heart of Baghdad – resulting in the death and injury of more than 200 – warning that the increased targeting of places of worship is aimed at pushing the country further into a sectarian war.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Special Representative for Iraq, Ashraf Qazi, “forcefully condemned” yesterday’s bombing of the Shi’a mosque in one of Baghdad’s busiest areas, describing it as “especially repugnant” because it targeted worshippers leaving the noon prayer, resulting in a large number of dead and injured.
In a statement issued today, Mr. Qazi called on all Iraqis to “reject violence and opt for unity and reconciliation,” and called on those responsible for law enforcement in Iraq to pursue the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
Yesterday’s bombing follows last week’s attacks on the holy shrines of Imam Ali Al-Hadi and Imam Hassan Al-Askary in Samarra, which Mr. Ban stated were “clearly aimed at provoking sectarian strife and undermining the peace and stability of Iraq.”
