UN CHIEF DEPLORES LATEST TERRORIST ATTACK IN IRAQ

UN CHIEF DEPLORES LATEST TERRORIST ATTACK IN IRAQ
New York, Dec 12 2008 2:10PM
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today strongly condemned the "heinous bomb attack" in northern Iraq which killed scores of people and wounded more than 90 civilians in a crowed restaurant yesterday.

The suicide bomber struck a popular restaurant in an the ethnically mixed area 25 miles from the city of Kirkuk while hundreds of families were celebrating the last day of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha.

"No cause can justify such inhumane and indiscriminate violence," according to a statement issued by Mr. Ban's spokesperson.

According to media reports, the blast killed 55 people while the restaurant was packed with lunchtime diners, including children, and local Kurdish and Arab leaders who were trying to settle their differences concerning the oil-rich area.

"This terrorist attack was particularly troubling because it targeted a meeting to promote dialogue and reconciliation between different communities in the region," the statement added.

Mr. Ban called on the Iraqi people and their leaders "not to be deterred by such acts of provocation and to continue to work together in a spirit of national reconciliation in order to ensure a peaceful atmosphere for the holding of next month's provincial elections."
Dec 12 2008 2:10PM
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