UN officials condemn Baghdad bomb attacks

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and his top envoy in Iraq have strongly condemned the string of bombings that struck a marketplace and other locations in Baghdad today, killing a large number of civilians and injuring many others.

“The Secretary-General is confident that the people of Iraq will reject these reprehensible attempts to provoke sectarian violence in the country,” Mr. Ban’s spokesperson said in a statement.

“He urges them to continue undeterred in their efforts to achieve lasting peace and national reconciliation. The United Nations remains committed to supporting the Iraqi people toward these ends,” the statement added.

Media reports say a series of six bombs struck the Iraqi capital, killing more than 34 people and injuring about 110.

Mr. Ban’s Special Representative in Iraq, Staffan de Mistura, voiced his confidence that “the overwhelming majority of the Iraqi people renounce violence and will continue dialogue leading to stability and improved security.”

He extended the UN’s sincere condolences to the bereaved families and its wishes for the full and speedy recovery of the wounded.