Killing of Iraq archbishop 'appalling,' says Miliband
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
London, Mar 14, IRNA
UK-Iraq Archbishop
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said he was "shocked" to hear of the death of Paulos Faraj Rahho, the Chaldean Catholic Archbishop of Mosul, whose body was found in a shallow grave after a reported tip-off from his captors.
"His kidnapping was a cowardly act perpetrated by individuals who have rejected dialogue and peaceful politics. His killing represents an appalling act of premeditated violence. My thoughts are with the Archbishop's family," Miliband said.
His body was found Thursday near Mosul, two weeks after he was kidnapped, when leading prayers. Three of his aides were killed in the abduction.
The British foreign secretary said that Iraq can "only be secure when its political, ethnic and religious communities work and live together peacefully."
"To this end, the UK Government will support the Iraqi Government's efforts to promote national reconciliation and to protect all Iraq's communities regardless of faith or political persuasion," he said.
The 65-year-old archbishop was the latest in a long line of abductions of Chaldean clerics, who represent the largest Christian sect within Iraq.
2220**345**1420
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
