April 5, 10

NEWS / Top UN official in Iraq deplores latest series of deadly bombings in Baghdad

5 April 2010 – The Secretary-General’s special envoy in Iraq today strongly condemned the latest series of bombings in Baghdad that killed dozens of people, including a United Nations staff member and her son, and injured many other civilians.

Ad Melkert, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Iraq (SRSG), issued a statement today in which described yesterday’s blasts as a “senseless crime” targeting civilians and diplomats in the Iraqi capital.

An Iraqi national working for the UN World Health Organization (WHO) and her 20-year-old son were among those killed.

Mr. Melkert, who is also the head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), expressed the UN’s sorrow and sincere condolences to the bereaved families and the Organization’s wishes for full and speedy recovery for those wounded.

He urged all communities in Iraq “to work towards further strengthening of national reconciliation as the best approach to serve the interests of the overwhelming majority of Iraqis that are committed to peace, fundamental rights, and strive for democracy."

Three suicide bombers set off explosions within moments of each other, according to media reports, apparently targeting foreign embassies in central Baghdad. More than 40 people are estimated to have been killed in the blasts and as many as 200 others were injured.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=34279&Cr=Iraq&Cr1=