SRSG Condemns Targeting of Journeying Pilgrims

Baghdad, 11 February 2009- The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Iraq (SRSG) Staffan de Mistura strongly condemned the targeting of pilgrims during the journey from Baghdad to Karbala. Mr. de Mistura described the bombing as "a murderous attack which was clearly designed to provoke sectarian tensions, even though the people of Iraq had clearly indicated through their votes on 31 January that they wish to put that sad phase of Iraqi history well behind them." He called on all Iraqis to not rise to the provocations of extremists.