UN chief arrives in Baghdad to meet with Iraq officials

Planned meetings are expected to tackle fight against Daesh and resultant humanitarian crisis

By Ali Jawad

BAGHDAD (AA) - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres arrived in Baghdad on Thursday for an official visit to Iraq, according to an Iraqi Foreign Ministry source.

“Guterres and his delegation arrived at Baghdad International Airport this morning for an official visit during which he will meet Iraqi President Fuad Masum, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and Parliament Speaker Salim al-Jubouri,” the ministry source told Anadolu Agency.

According to the same source, who spoke anonymously due to restrictions on talking to reporters, meetings will tackle the ongoing campaign to recapture Mosul from the Daesh terrorist group and the steadily mounting numbers of civilians displaced by the fighting.

In a Thursday statement, the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) said Guterres’ visit would focus mainly on the deteriorating humanitarian situation in and around Mosul.

UNAMI stressed that the protection of civilians should be a top priority in the ongoing fight for the northern city.

Earlier this week, Guterres visited Jordan’s Zaatari camp for Syrian refugees before attending Wednesday’s Arab League summit in Jordan’s Dead Sea region.

Kaynak:

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