New UN envoy for Iraq starts work in Baghdad

Staffan de Mistura

12 November 2007 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's new Special Representative for Iraq, Staffan de Mistura, has arrived in Baghdad where he immediately assumed his responsibilities as the top United Nations envoy in the country.

“I look forward to carrying out my responsibilities,” said Mr. de Mistura, whose mandate derives from Security Council resolution 1770, which extended and expanded the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI).

The envoy pledged to work “in the service of the Iraqi people.”

Recognizing Iraq's unique challenges, Mr. de Mistura, who arrived on Sunday, also vowed “to fulfill UNAMI's mandate by ensuring maximum UN engagement with both the Government and people of Iraq.”

Mr. de Mistura, who succeeded Ashraf Qazi, has served in Iraq in various capacities in the past, including as the Secretary-General's Deputy Special Representative.