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Baghdad, 22 January 2009 - In the run-up to the Governorate Council elections, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General for Iraq (SRSG), Mr. Staffan de Mistura, emphasized the importance of women\'s full participation for the success of the elections. "The United Nations strongly supports the rightful aspiration of Iraqi women to see the law regarding the women\'s quota interpreted in a fair and appropriate way that leads to greater representation of women on the Governorate Councils", the SRSG said.

Baghdad, 31 January – The Chairman of the Independent High Electoral Commission tonight congratulated all Iraqis as he announced the closure of more than 6,471 polling centers and 41,495 polling stations after 11 hours of voting by millions of Iraqis.  “This is a crucial election for our country.   I am proud of the enthusiasm Iraqis showed today when they came out to vote for better futures for all of us.” 

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.

Baghdad-8 March 2009-The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General for Iraq Staffan de Mistura, noted during commemorations marking the International Women’s Day, on Sunday that, “Iraqi women made much progress towards asserting their political representational rights during the provincial elections held last January, but remain vulnerable to discrimination and violence on the basis of gender.”

Baghdad-10 March 2009- The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General for Iraq (SRSG), Staffan de Mistura, strongly condemned the bombings in Baghdad’s Abu Ghraib area this afternoon which killed dozens of innocent civilians and injured many more including tribal leaders, journalists and other military and civilian dignitaries. Mr. de Mistura described the bombing which targeted Sunni and Shiite tribal leaders after concluding a reconciliation meeting as a, “ Horrible crime that is designed to sabotage reconciliatory efforts by the Iraqi people, who, I am confident, will continue on the road of dialogue.”  

Baghdad-16 March 2009- The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq (SRSG) Staffan de Mistura is continuing a round of consultations with a number of political figures in Iraq regarding power-sharing in Kirkuk as well as developments in parts of Nineveh and Diyala governorates.  In recent days, he has held meetings with the Prime Minister’s Office, Iraqi political leaders, Kirkuk Provincial Council Chairman and others.

Baghdad, 24 March 2009 - The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Iraq (SRSG), Staffan de Mistura condemned in the strongest terms the suicide bomb attack that killed and injured dozens at a house filled with Kurdish funeral mourners in the town of Jalawla in Diyala province.

Baghdad-6 April 2009- The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General for Iraq (SRSG), Staffan de Mistura, strongly condemned the string of bombings that targeted many of Baghdad’s neighborhoods today, killing dozens of innocent civilians and injuring many more including women and children.