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UN Envoy: Violent foes of Iraq stability cannot reverse progress

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

TEHRAN, 17 Feb, IRNA -- A top United Nations envoy in Iraq said violent foes of Iraq stability cannot reverse progress, the UN Information Center in Tehran (UNIC) reported on Wednesday.

While there are still forces in Iraq trying to disrupt reconstruction with deadly violence, they cannot reverse the progress already taking place, with national elections slated for 7 March, but greater international engagement is needed, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Special Representative Ad Melkert told journalists after briefing the Security Council on Mr. Ban’s latest report on the situation in Iraq.

He said Iraq “has made considerable progress but still faces tremendous challenges”.

“Generally speaking, I should say that the elections are on track in terms of their technical preparation. Still, a lot needs to be done. Security remains a big challenge to all, to the Iraqis in the first place, but also to the international community.”

In his address to the Council at UN Headquarters in New York, Mr. Melkert said that despite the forces seeking “to interfere violently in the reconstruction and reconciliation” process, the overwhelming majority of the Iraqi people wants it to succeed.

“Whilst regrettably these forces continue to kill and target innocent pilgrims, public servants, police officers and election candidates, they cannot reverse the progress that is taking place in Iraq,” he added.

“The determination of Iraqis to resist the return of the perils of the past is real and strong, stronger than the heinous forces behind the attacks. However, more international attention and engagement is needed for allowing the people of Iraq to determine their future in their own way.”

In a press statement read out by Ambassador Gérard Araud of France, which holds the Council’s rotating presidency for February, the 15-member body called for the elections to be “free, fair, transparent, legitimate and inclusive with broad participation in order for the results to reflect the will of the Iraqi people and be accepted by them.”

Mr. Melkert cautioned against “persistent skepticism and impatience” in discussing Iraq, noting that while there are “imperfections, gaps and contradictions,” that is not the heart of the matter given the decades of conflicts and crimes that have gravely affected the country.

**1424

End News / IRNA / News Code 964328