"The Secretary-General is deeply dismayed by the rash of attacks in recent days against representatives of the international diplomatic community in Iraq," spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said in a statement condemning the incidents, including the kidnapping of the chargé d'affaires of Egypt, as well as the attempted assassinations of diplomats from Bahrain and Pakistan.

"There can be no justification for the targeting of diplomats," Mr. Dujarric said, adding that the Secretary-General expected that the perpetrators of these acts would be quickly apprehended and brought to justice.