Tuesday 3 November 2009

Iraq PM Urges UN to Stop Neighbors' Meddling


Iraq PM Urges UN to Stop Neighbors' Meddling

02/11/2009 Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki called Monday on the United Nations to press his country's neighbors to stop meddling in its internal affairs.

Maliki also said three people behind twin suicide bombings in central Baghdad last week that killed more than 150 people had confessed to receiving help from Syria.

The premier made the comments as UN special envoy Oscar Fernandez-Taranco arrived to access Baghdad's security following the bombings and similar attacks in August that left about 100 dead.

"It is time for the UN to act to stop the bloodshed," Maliki said during a meeting with Fernandez-Taranco, according to a statement from his office.

"All mediation on this subject has not reached a result and that is why we have gone to the UN. We believe that a UN statement warning neighboring countries and requesting them not to interfere in our internal affairs would be the best way to mediate," Maliki said.

Fernandez-Taranco's visit comes after persistent lobbying by Iraq for an independent probe into the two sets of attacks. The diplomat said he was in Iraq to get a general idea of the country's security, while adding the United Nations was considering the request for an inquiry, according to the statement from Maliki's office.

Maliki, meanwhile, said three supporters of the Baath Party had confessed to receiving support from Syrian Baathists. "Three members of the Baath Party were responsible for the recent terrorist operation," he said. "They were receiving support from the Syrian Baath Party and confessed to this."

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