Top UN envoy mourns loss of Iraqi Shi’a political leader

The top United Nations official in Iraq today extended his condolences on the passing of Shi’a political leader Abdul Aziz Al Hakim, who he said played an important role in stabilizing the country in recent years.

“Iraq lost an important leader at a critical juncture,” Ad Melkert, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative, said in a news release issued by the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).

Mr. Al Hakim died on Wednesday in the Iranian capital, Tehran, where he had been undergoing treatment for cancer.

Mr. Melkert said that the late leader played an important role in helping to stabilize Iraq and in charting a path from conflict to reconciliation, adding that the UN appreciated the support Mr. Al Hakim extended to it over the past few years.