Baghdad 27 August 2009- The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Iraq (SRSG) Ad Melkert extends his deepest condolences to the family of His Eminence Abdul Aziz Al Hakim as well as to the Iraqi people.

Mr. Melkert said that with the death of Abdul Aziz Al Hakim, "Iraq lost an important leader at a critical juncture." He said that the late Abdul Aziz Al Hakim played an important role in helping Iraq stabilize and chart a path from conflict to reconciliation and the United Nations appreciates the support his eminence extended to it over the past few years.