Security Council condemns deadly blasts in northern Iraq

The Security Council today condemned this week's series of coordinated bombings in northern Iraq that killed hundreds of people and left many more wounded, urging the country's people to end their continuing sectarian violence.

Media reports say that at least 200 people and possibly as many as 400 were killed as a result of Tuesday's blasts in two villages in Ninawah province, apparently aimed at the Yazidi religious community in that area.

Council members joined Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who issued his own statement yesterday, in condemning the attacks “in the strongest terms” and extending their condolences to the victims and their families, Ambassador Pascal Gayama of the Republic of Congo, which holds the rotating Council presidency this month, said in a statement to the press.

Mr. Gayama said the attacks “were aimed at widening the sectarian and ethnic divide in Iraq.”

He also reaffirmed the 15-member panel's support for Iraq's people and Government “as they rebuild their country,” and reiterated the need to “promote national dialogue, reconciliation and broad political participation to ensure unity, peace, security, stability and the cessation of sectarian violence.”

The press statement also reiterated the Council's call on UN Member States to prevent the transit of terrorists to and from Iraq and to refrain providing arms or financing that would support terrorists.