UN in Iraq: We don't support any violation of the constitution

BAGHDAD, Iraq—The United Nations representative in Baghdad met with Iraq’s Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani on Wednesday where he later said that his organization did not support any violation of the constitution and promised to guide Iraq through to the next elections and its reform programs.

“And I confirmed to His Eminence that for us, and that was also confirmed through the meeting, the full respect of the constitution and laws of the country in all situations being it as regards Baghdad-Erbil relations or as regards the elections in the country and in all other cases is something that guides us and will guide us in our activities.” Jan Kubis, the UN envoy in Iraq told reporters. “And we cannot support any violations of the constitution, laws of the country.”

Kubis said that the UN shared “the same concerns, and we share also the approach of the way forward in most, if not all, the cases and situations.”

Kubis said that he valued Ayatollah Sistani’s Friday sermons that encourage people to care for the families of martyrs, internally displaced people and the protection of civilians.

“And I confirmed that, for us, these priorities are also our priorities.” Kubis said.

“I also confirmed that we, as the United Nations, will accelerate support for this return to the people and to the government to enable at least a minimum level of reconstruction but also the appropriate level of security that would at the same time create a barrier against repeating attacks of the terrorist Daesh that otherwise are still happening.”

The UN will support Iraq in its reform programs, said Kubis.

“I again confirmed to His Eminence our support for the reform programme of the government, for implementation of the proclaimed objectives, for example, when fighting corruption.” Kubis said.

“We will provide assistance and we hope that the government will resolutely move against those corrupt individuals, not only to take action against them, but also to retrieve the funds that they embezzled and to bring these funds back to serve the needs of the people.”

The UN envoy said that ISIS was crushed through people’s sacrifices but the fight against terrorism should continue.

“The structures of the Daesh were crushed, still the work against terrorism must continue because there are still individuals that would try to continuously use this opportunity; but the victory is there and it is through the sacrifices of the people of Iraq. And I applaud this; and I express my sympathies to all the martyrs and their families.” Kubis said.

UN in Iraq: We don't support any violation of the constitution

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