UN chief calls for dialogue to overcome crisis in Iraq

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon on Tuesday expressed concerns over the latest violence in Iraq, stressing the need for dialogue between political parties in order to overcome the current crisis. "The Secretary-General has been following with concern the unfolding political and security situation in Iraq, including the escalating political tensions and the appalling upsurge of violence that has killed a high number of civilians over the last two months," said a statement released here by Ban's spokesperson. Ban expressed his deepest sympathy to the victims and their families and called upon the Iraqi government to "do its utmost to bring to justice the perpetrators of these atrocious acts," said the statement. Violence and sporadic high-profile bomb attacks are still common in Iraqi cities despite the dramatic decrease in violence since its peak in 2006 and 2007, when the country was engulfed in sectarian killings. The death toll among Iraqis from violence in April was 712, hitting its highest level since 2008; while another 1,045 people were killed and 2,397 wounded during May by the unrest across the country, according to figures from the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI). In the statement, Ban welcomed Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's visit to the Kurdistan Region and urged all parties to "redouble their efforts to ensure that the momentum of national reconciliation is not lost to those groups that strive to reignite sectarian violence in Iraq." Al-Maliki's visit was aimed at breaking the ice between the central and regional governments after months of political deadlock and tensions over distribution of oil wealth and control of disputed areas in the provinces of Nineveh, Kirkuk, Salahudin and Diyala, which are located on the edges of the Kurdish region in northern Iraq. In addition, the UN chief reiterated the commitment of the UN, including UNAMI, to support and assist the government and people of Iraq in building a peaceful, democratic and prosperous country.