TOP UN ENVOY CONDEMNS 'ABHORRENT' BOMBINGS IN BAGHDAD AND MOSUL

A top United Nations official has strongly condemned the recent bombings that targeted worshipers in two of Iraq's major cities, leaving dozens of innocent civilians dead or injured.

At least 36 people were reportedly killed or wounded as a result of the car bomb that exploded on Friday outside a mosque in the northern city of Mosul as well as several explosions that struck the capital, Baghdad.

Ad Melkert, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Special Representative for Iraq, described the bombings as "an abhorrent crime targeting worshipers while they prayed and others as they embarked on their mid-Shaaban pilgrimage."

The mission said UN agencies are working with local officials and the Iraq Red Crescent Organization to deliver humanitarian relief to families affected by the bombings. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has provided basic household supplies to some 50 families whose homes were badly damaged.

Mr. Melkert, who heads the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), urged local authorities to ensure access for the ongoing humanitarian effort.

The attacks come just over a week after bombings at five Shi'a mosques across Baghdad which drew strong condemnation from the Secretary-General.

"Attacks against places of worship cannot be justified by any political or religious cause," Mr. Ban said in a statement following the 31 July attacks. "These attacks appear to be aimed at provoking sectarian strife and undermining stability in Iraq."

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TOP UN ENVOY URGES IRAQIS TO REFRAIN FROM ‘SECTARIAN HATRED’

Deploring yesterday's bombing in Sadr City, as well as the recent string of attacks across Iraq, a senior United Nations official today called on all Iraqis not to respond to the deadly incidents with sectarian violence.

"We have long been aware that certain groups whose aim is to kill innocent civilians would try to take advantage of an impending change in security arrangements in Iraq," Staffan de Mistura, the Secretary-General's Special Representative, said.

These groups seek to incite violence between communities, "hoping for a return to the dark days of 2006," he added.

Speaking from New York, where he has been briefing both the Security Council and Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the situation in Iraq, Mr. de Mistura said there is no excuse for this "deliberate" attempt to kill civilians.

"Our appeal to everyone in Iraq, from all communities, is not to fall into the killers' trap and to avoid responding to this provocation in the way that they desperately want – with sectarian hatred and violence."

Earlier this month, Mr. de Mistura, who also serves as the head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), announced he is stepping down from his position after serving nearly two years in the country to take up a senior post with the World Food Programme (WFP).
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NEPAL: UN WELCOMES STEPS TO INVESTIGATE CHURCH BOMBING

NEPAL: UN WELCOMES STEPS TO INVESTIGATE CHURCH BOMBING
New York, May 26 2009 9:00AM
The United Nations has deplored the church bombing in Kathmandu Valley over the weekend which killed two people and wounded eight others, and welcomed steps by Nepalese authorities to investigate the attack.

According to a news release issued by the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Nepal, the steps include a prompt investigation by Nepal Police of Saturday's attack.

They also include a visit to the site by the (then) Prime Minister-designate, the creation by the Home Ministry of a probe committee to investigate the attack and an investigation by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

The world body "condemns unequivocally" the bombing of a place of worship, particularly at a time when the church was known to be filled with people attending Mass, the news release stated.

"The United Nations also welcomes public statements from various quarters, including the Government, civil society and the media, denouncing the bombing and urging full respect for the right of all persons to freedom of worship."
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