UN chief urges Iraq political leaders to form new government
A young girl sleeps surrounded by relatives in their new home, a primary school in Alqosh, Duhok, after fleeing their
home in Mosul. Photo: UNHCR/S. Baldwin
10 August 2014
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called on all Iraqi political parties to work towards the formation of a new government that would be
able to confront the threat from the armed group, the Islamic State (IS).
In a late night statement yesterday from his spokesperson, Mr. Ban called on the political parties “to abide by the constitutional timeline that
governs the nomination of the Prime Minister.”
He also called for “reason and wisdom to prevail” and urged all leaders in Iraq to form “a broad-based government that
is acceptable to all components of Iraqi society.”
Such a government should be able to mobilize the nation to confront the threat from IS in a way that will bring security
and stability to the whole country, Mr. Ban added.
Iraqi politicians on 15 July chose Salim al-Jubour as the new Speaker of the Council of Representatives, and Fuad
Ma'soum as the new President on 24 July. Per the Iraqi Constitution, the political leaders have until the end of today
to nominate a Prime Minister, who would then form a new Government.
In his statement, Mr. Ban noted that as the Organization and the international community are closely following the
political developments in Iraq, he also remains “deeply concerned” about the evolving humanitarian and security
situation in the country.
The situation remains particularly dire on Jebel Sinjar, or Sinjar Mountain, where an estimated 50,000 people, many of
them women, children and the elderly, are believed to be trapped since IS displaced them from their homes one week ago.
Aid workers are particularly concerned about high temperatures in the northern area. Those can reach 50 degrees Celsius
(120 degrees Fahrenheit) at this time of year.
ENDS