- Title: SWITZERLAND: U.N.'s Ban urges Iraq to hold dialogue to stop violence
- Date: 17th June 2014
- Summary: GENEVA, SWITZERLAND (JUNE 17, 2014) (REUTERS) VARIOUS EXTERIORS OF U.N. HEADQUARTERS U.N. SECRETARY GENERAL BAN KI-MOON ARRIVING FOR NEWS CONFERENCE CAMERAMAN FILMING NEWS CONFERENCE UNDERWAY (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON SAYING: "I am deeply concerned about the rapidly deteriorating security situation in Iraq, including the reports of mass summary executions by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, ISIL. There is a real risk of further sectarian violence on a massive scale within Iraq and beyond its borders." REPORTERS (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON SAYING: "This is again a very serious concern to all of us. I have been urging Iraqi government leaders, including Prime Minister (Nuri) Al-Maliki, to reach out for an inclusive dialogue and solution of this issue. Last week, I spoke over the phone with Prime Minister Al-Maliki, and I have been reaching out to the leaders in the region, Turkey, Iran, and other areas." REPORTERS (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON SAYING: "The Iraqi government should have one state, whether it is Sunni or Shiite or Kurds, they should be able to harmoniously live together, respecting and upholding human rights and values of the United Nations." EXTERIOR OF THE U.N. HEADQUARTERS BAN LEAVING PREMISES SIGN FOR UNITED NATIONS
- Embargoed: 2nd July 2014 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Switzerland
- Country: Switzerland
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVA23FTHWTWKXD73GXH5HNI5935W
- Story Text: U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Tuesday (June 17) that he has been urging Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki to hold dialogue to try to stop the sectarian violence, and warned that governments who neglect human rights are creating "breeding grounds for extremism and terrorism".
Ban said he was deeply concerned about the rapidly deteriorating security situation in Iraq, including reports of mass summary executions by fighters of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
"I am deeply concerned about the rapidly deteriorating security situation in Iraq, including the reports of mass summary executions by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, ISIL. There is a real risk of further sectarian violence on a massive scale within Iraq and beyond its borders," Ban told a news conference in Geneva.
"I have been urging Iraqi government leaders, including Prime Minister (Nuri) Al-Maliki, to reach out for an inclusive dialogue and solution of this issue. Last week, I spoke over the phone with Prime Minister Al-Maliki, and I have been reaching out to the leaders in the region, Turkey, Iran, and other areas," he added.
U.S. President Barack Obama considered options for military action to support Iraq's besieged government on Monday but made no decision on the U.S. response to a Sunni militant onslaught that has threatened to tear the country apart.
Ban did not say if the Iraqi government should include the radical Islamist group ISIS in its dialogue. Nor did he comment directly on the possibility of Iran or the United States intervening in Iraq to support Maliki's government.
But he said the country should have one government.
"Whether it is Sunni or Shiite or Kurds, they should be able to harmoniously live together, respecting and upholding human rights and values of United Nations," he said.
Ban said he had repeatedly urged leaders in countries with security problems that they should pay attention to the fears and hopes of their people, and not think that they are legitimate just because they are elected. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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