SECRETARY-GENERAL ‘SHOCKED AND DISMAYED’ BY ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT

ON IRAQ’S DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General met with the Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq, Salam Z. al-Zubai, yesterday in Baghdad.  He was shocked and dismayed to hear that the Deputy Prime Minister had been injured in an assassination attempt earlier today.  The Secretary-General sent a personal message to Mr. al-Zubai, offering his condolences for those who were killed and injured in the attack and wishing him a full and speedy recovery from his injuries.

The Secretary-General greatly valued the opportunity to meet with Mr. al-Zubai yesterday to hear his views on the current situation in Iraq.  He reiterates his admiration for the Deputy Prime Minister’s readiness to serve Iraq at a great personal risk.

* *** *

For information media • not an official record