UNSC expresses "full support" for Melkert, UNAMIPolitics 11/16/2009 11:39:00 PM
UNITED NATIONS, Nov 16 (KUNA) -- UN Security Council on Monday reaffirmed its "full support" for the UN Special envoy for Iraq Ad Melkert and the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) in advising, supporting and assisting the Iraqi people and Government to strengthen democratic institutions, advance inclusive political dialogue and national reconciliation, facilitate regional dialogue and promote judicial and legal reform.
In a statement read out in an open council meeting, its President Thomas Mayr-Harting of Austria said the council underscores UNAMI's "important role" in supporting the Iraqi people and Government to promote dialogue, ease tension, and develop a just and fair solution for the nation's disputed internal boundaries, and calls upon all the relevant parties to participate in an inclusive dialogue to this end.
The statement added that the council "welcomes" the agreement reached by the Iraqi Parliament on November 8 on the electoral law which will allow parliamentary elections to take place next January, and endorsed the Secretary-General's appeal to all political blocks and their leaders to demonstrate true statesmanship during the election campaign and participate in a spirit of national unity.
The council condemned "in the strongest terms" the series of terrorist attacks that occurred in Baghdad last August 19 and October 25 and reaffirmed its commitment to Iraq's security. It did not seek further action as requested by Iraq, such as the establishment of a tribunal to try the masterminds of the attacks Baghdad said are living in Syria.
It welcomed, in this regard, the recent visit by "UN officials" to Iraq, in an indirect reference to Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Oscar Fernandes-Taranco, without naming him, for "preliminary consultations" related to Iraq's security and sovereignty.
It encouraged the Secretary-General's efforts in this regard, including the possibility of facilitating technical assistance through the UN Counterterrorism Committee.
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