Iraq

New UN-backed blog site encourages Iraqis to take part in upcoming polls

30 December 2008
A new United Nations-supported blog site just launched in Baghdad is the latest initiative to engage voters in the nascent democracy and motivate them to go to the polls on 31 January 2009 during the country’s provincial elections.

Ban hails move by creditor nations to cancel nearly $8 billion in Iraqi debt

24 December 2008
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today hailed the decision of the 19-member Paris Club of nations to cancel the remaining 20 per cent of Iraq's debt from the Saddam Hussein era – amounting to $7.8 billion – and called on other creditors to take similar action to help the country rebuild its economy.
Head of UN Assistance Mission for Iraq Staffan de Mistura

Significant step taken for proposed referendum in Basra, says UN’s Iraq mission

17 December 2008
Preparations are in place enabling the people of the oil-rich Iraqi province of Basra to officially demonstrate their support of a proposed referendum to form a region with some devolved power from the central Government, the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) announced today.

As Iraqis head closer to polls, UN finances election training

13 December 2008
A United Nations development agency announced today that over 150,000 Iraqi civilians, some in the remotest areas of the country, have been trained in the electoral process in programmes it has financed ahead of upcoming elections.

UN chief deplores latest terrorist attack in Iraq

12 December 2008
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today strongly condemned the “heinous bomb attack” in northern Iraq which killed scores of people and wounded more than 90 civilians in a crowed restaurant yesterday.
Staffan de Mistura

Iraq: top UN envoy deplores latest bombing, killing dozens at end of Islamic holiday

11 December 2008
The top United Nations envoy to Iraq has strongly condemned a bombing near the northern city of Kirkuk today, killing dozens and injuring more than 90 civilians in a crowded restaurant.
Council President Ambassador Ranko Vilovic of Croatia

Security Council concerned over inactivity on issues pending since 1990 Gulf war

10 December 2008
The Security Council today urged all parties to make concerted efforts in determining the fate of Kuwaitis and other nationals missing since Iraq’s 1990 invasion, and expressed concern over the lack of progress in finding the Kuwaiti national archive.

Ban voices serious concern over stalemate in recovering missing Kuwaitis from Iraq

9 December 2008
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed his “serious concern” today at the inactivity on recovering the remains of Kuwaiti and other nationals missing since the 1990 Gulf war, in a report made public today.

Marking Eid al-Adha, UN expresses hopes for peace

7 December 2008
On the occasion of Eid al-Adha, the United Nations has voiced its hope for peace.

Human rights abuses continue in Iraq, despite security improvement - UN

2 December 2008
Grave rights abuses persisted in Iraq during the first half of this year, including targeted killings of professionals, assaults on minorities, alleged widespread torture of detainees and attacks against women, despite great improvements in general security, according to a new United Nations report released today.