Baghdad, 26 July 2010 - The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Iraq (SRSG) Ad Melkert condemned in the strongest terms the attacks that targeted the regional satellite channel Al-Arabiya, in which four of its employees and another two bystanders were killed.
“Journalists in Iraq have again turned out to be prime targets for insurgents and all parties should act to counter this impunity in the targeting and killing of journalists”, the SRSG said. “The attack of this morning shows once more that an immediate response is needed through an effective agreement on the formation of a new government that will be dedicated to the protection of citizens and freedom of the press".
Mr. Melkert extends the United Nations sincere condolences to the bereaved families of those killed and wishes a speedy recovery for the injured.
