UN envoy condemns attack against worshippers in Iraq

A senior United Nations official in Iraq today strongly condemned a suicide bomb attack against a mosque in the northern area of Baghdad, which killed and injured dozens of worshipers as they were leaving evening prayers.

“This heinous act of violence which shocked the country, shall not undermine the belief in peaceful coexistence among the Iraqi people,” said the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq, Gyorgy Busztin.

According to media reports, the attack killed some 35 people and wounded more than 50.

The UN envoy extended his deep sympathy and sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the wounded.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon recently voiced alarm at the deterioration of the security situation in Iraq, where deadly attacks are becoming “all too commonplace,” and appealed to political leaders to take urgent action to stem the violence and bring the perpetrators to justice.