Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Licence needed for work use Learn More

World Video | Defence | Foreign Affairs | Natural Events | Trade | NZ in World News | NZ National News Video | NZ Regional News | Search

 

UN Head Welcomes Iraq Back To Family of Nations

Welcoming Iraq back to family of nations, Annan urges reconciliation

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today welcomed Iraq back into the family of independent and sovereign nations and urged the country's people to consolidate stability and foster understanding.

Reacting to the United States' handover of power today to an interim Iraqi Government, Mr. Annan called on "all Iraqis to come together in a spirit of national unity and reconciliation, through a process of open dialogue and consensus-building, to lay down secure foundations for the new Iraq," a UN spokesman said in a statement.

"Their first duty is to assist their interim Government to establish security for the population so that the difficult process of return toward normalcy can commence," spokesman Stephane Dujarric added.

The Secretary-General pledged that the UN would "do everything possible, as circumstances permit, to help the Iraqi people in this challenging yet vital process," Mr. Dujarric said.

Earlier

  • Multimedia: Annan pledges UN role in next phase in Iraq (real player)

  • Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

    © Scoop Media

    Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
     
     
     
    World Headlines

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    Join Our Free Newsletter

    Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.