UN envoy to Iraq condemns continuing bloodshed across Iraq

The UN special envoy to Iraq condemned Wednesday a wave of attacks that claimed dozens of lives across Iraq on Tuesday, urging Iraqi leaders to take measures to protect people. In a press release posted on the internet, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Iraq, Martin Kobler "condemned in the strongest possible terms the wave of attacks that claimed dozens of lives across Iraq yesterday." "These devastating terrorist attacks once again targeted innocent citizens struggling to build a more hopeful future for themselves and their children in a highly volatile environment," the UN envoy said. "They follow two weeks during which we've seen an increasing number of attacks targeting cafes, football fields and other locations," Kobler said. Kobler, who heads the UN Assistance Mission to Iraq (UNAMI), urged Iraqi leaders to take action to end their political crises. "I once again urge the Iraqi authorities to do their utmost and take all necessary measures to protect the people of Iraq from more bloodshed," he added. "This carnage must stop." Kobler extended his sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wishes for a speedy recovery to those who were wounded. The UN envoy's comment came in the wake of car bomb attacks and shootings that swept Iraqi, most of them in Baghdad, which killed at least 35 people and wounded some 151 others on Tuesday. A total of 554 civilians and 207 security troops were killed and 1,771 others wounded in terrorist and violent acts in June, a statement by the UNAMI showed Monday. High-profile bomb attacks are still common in Iraq despite the dramatic decrease since their peak in 2006 and 2007, when the country was engulfed in sectarian killings.