The Secretary-General condemns in the strongest terms the 17 March bomb attack in Karbala, Iraq near the Imam Hussein shrine which has killed several dozen people and left many more injured. The Secretary-General extends his heartfelt condolences to the families of those killed in this heinous attack.

The Secretary-General appeals to all Iraqis to show maximum restraint in the face of these provocative actions. He also urges all Iraqi leaders to resolve their differences through political dialogue and in a spirit of national reconciliation.