Iraq: UN envoy condemns deadly attack against police recruits

The United Nations envoy in Iraq has strongly condemned a terrorist attack yesterday against police recruits in the town of Tikrit which killed dozens of people and injured many others.

In a statement issued today, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Special Representative for Iraq, Ad Melkert, expressed “great concern that such acts of violence are targeting the Iraqi security forces who are striving to rebuild the country and protect all Iraqi citizens.”

He extended his sincere condolences to the bereaved families and his wishes for the full and speedy recovery for the wounded.

UN officials and the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) have consistently voiced outrage at the continuing violence in the conflict-torn country. Earlier this month, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, denounced the continuation of bloody attacks against Shi’a Muslims, Christians and other religious groups in Iraq.