Ban and Iraqi leader discuss request for probe into deadly terror attacks

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has discussed Iraq's request for the United Nations to set up an independent international commission to probe deadly bombings and attacks that have struck the country since 2008 with President Jalal Talabani.

The Iraqi leader issued the call during his address last week to the annual high-level debate of the General Assembly, in which he said the scope and nature of the attacks – including the explosions last month that killed around 100 people in the capital, Baghdad – meant they can only have been carried out with external help and warranted an outside investigation.

During their meeting yesterday at UN Headquarters in New York, the Secretary-General and Mr. Talabani talked about Iraq's request for the appointment of a senior UN official to inquire into the causes and circumstances of the 19 August blasts in Baghdad.

Mr. Talabani had also stated in his address that once the commission has carried out its work, a special international court should then be set up to try those accused of committing the crimes.

Among the other issues discussed during Saturday's meeting were Iraq's relations with its neighbours, and the legislative polls scheduled to be held in January 2010.

The Secretary-General acknowledged the importance of ongoing support by the UN towards the conduct of the upcoming elections, according to his spokesperson.