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Secretary-General condemns rocket attack near UN premises in Baghdad

Secretary-General condemns rocket attack near UN premises in Baghdad

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Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has strongly condemned the rocket attack that occurred near the United Nations compound in Baghdad''s International Zone today, killed two catering staff and injuring 15 others.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has strongly condemned the rocket attack that occurred near the United Nations compound in Baghdad''s International Zone today, killed two catering staff and injuring 15 others.

Mr. Ban is “shocked and saddened” by the attack, according to a statement issued by his spokesperson.

“He strongly condemns the attack and expresses his condolences to the families of victims and wishes speedy recovery to the injured catering staff working for the UN,” the statement added.

According to the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), all of the victims of the attack, which occurred at 6:15 am local time, were working for a catering company that supports the UN facilities in Baghdad.

“No UN national or international staff were killed or injured as a result of the attack,” the Mission noted in a news release.

The UN''s presence in Iraq has been limited since a suicide bombing of its Baghdad headquarters in 2003 killed 22 people, including the top UN envoy, Sergio Vieira de Mello.

UNAMI, under the current leadership of the Secretary-General''s Special Representative, Staffan de Mistura, is assisting the country with a broad range of tasks, including the holding of provincial elections, resolving internal boundary issues, promoting human rights and providing humanitarian assistance.