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UNAMI voices concern over "continued acts of violence" in Iraq

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-08-18 04:29

The UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) on Tuesday expressed "concern" over the "continued acts of violence" targeted at the Iraqi people, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan, a UN spokesperson said Tuesday.

"The mission expresses concern at the continued acts of violence targeted at the Iraqi people, including those perpetrated during the holy Muslim month of Ramadan," Farhan Haq, the UN spokesperson, told reporters at a daily news briefing.

Earlier on Tuesday, a suicide attack targeted an army recruiting center in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, killing at least 48 recruits and soldiers with at least 129 others wounded.

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"The UN mission sends its condolences to the families of the victims and to the people and the government of Iraq and wishes a speedy recovery to those that are wounded," Haq said.

UNAMIA reiterates that the agreement on the formation of the Iraqi government will "greatly contribute to strengthening Iraq's ability to protect its citizens and respond effectively to those who aim at perpetuating instability and insecurity of the country and reversing its path towards peace and prosperity," said Haq.

Tuesday's suicide attack marked the bloodiest attack during the past weeks in Iraq, according to the casualty numbers. No group has claimed responsibility for it yet, but Iraqi officials have blamed al-Qaida group in Iraq for it.

Violence and sporadic high-profile attacks are still common in Iraqi cities as part of recent deterioration in security which shaped a setback to the efforts of the Iraqi government to restore normalcy in the country about five months after violence-torn Iraq held parliamentary elections on March 7.

US forces have pulled out of Iraqi cities and are working to formally end combat operations by August 31, cutting the US military force from just under 90,000 to 50,000. However, some local analysts still worry whether the Iraqi forces are ready to replace the US soldiers amid continued insurgent attacks.