The UN sees the situation in Baghdad as “extremely dangerous” and calls for calm

Guterres follows “with concern” the information coming from Iraq

29 (EUROPE PRESS)

The UN has expressed its concern and has appealed for containment in the face of the mobilizations unleashed this Monday in Baghdad after the announcement by Shiite cleric Muqtada al Sadr that he is abandoning politics, since he perceives “an extremely dangerous escalation” of tensions.

The United Nations mission in Iraq (UNAMI) has urged the demonstrators to “immediately” leave the Green Zone and vacate the public buildings occupied in the last few hours so that the Government can continue to carry out its work.

“State institutions must be able to operate without hindrance in the service of the Iraqi population, under any circumstances and at all times,” the mission said, in a statement in which it called for “respect for the constitutional order.”

UNAMI has pointed out that “the survival of the State is at stake” and that “Iraqis cannot be held hostage to an unpredictable and unsustainable situation”, for which it has called for the collaboration of all parties.

In this sense, he has urged the different political actors to lower the tension and commit to dialogue — “the only way to resolve differences” — with the ultimate goal of avoiding what could be “an unstoppable chain of events” in Iraq.

The UN Secretary General, António Guterres, who is following the evolution of events “with concern”, has also urged all parties to put aside any possible discrepancies and undertake “a peaceful and inclusive dialogue.” He urges all relevant actors to take immediate steps to deescalate the situation and prevent further violence,” his spokesman said.