Kobler: The UN concerned about postponing elections in Anbar

The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Iraq, Martin Kobler, expressed the United Nations concern about postponing elections in Anbar and Niniveh provinces. In a statement to the press on Thursday, March 21, Kobler said that no democracy without elections especially that the Iraqi people hope a lot from them. Kobler went on saying, "We are watching the situation closely, we want elections be held in all provinces smoothly and peacefully." He added that he has briefed the United Nations about the situation in Ira, especially the security status and demonstrations in some provinces, as well as demonstrators' demands. He called on the Iraqi government to listens to all, and solve the problems in according with law and the Constitution, stressing that it is necessary to respect human rights, reject violence in protests, as well as to stay away from sectarian and ethnic rhetoric. As for the Sadrist Trend ministers' suspending their participation in the Cabinet's sessions, Kobler said, "We are for the necessity that the political process continues in which all participate in it and all problems be solved in according with the Constitution." Regarding films showing prisoners in Abu Ghraib Prison being beaten, Kobler said, "We reject all kinds of violence and from whatever side; we demand the Iraqi government to separate between terrorism and the protestors' demands."