Guterres marks end of UN's political mission in Iraq

Read a summary of this article on FAST.
Get bite-sized news via a new
cards interface. Give it a try.
Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FAST
FAST

BAGHDAD: UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Saturday (Dec 13) marked in Baghdad the end of the United Nations' political mission in Iraq, which supported the country's transition following the US-led invasion. 

At Baghdad's request, the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) will shut down its operations after 22 years of assisting the country in its transition following the 2003 invasion and occupation that toppled longtime ruler Saddam Hussein.

"UNAMI was honoured and humbled to walk side-by-side with the Iraqi people," Guterres said at the mission's closing ceremony.

But "while a mission may conclude, the United Nations will always walk alongside the people of Iraq on the path toward peace, sustainable development and human rights," he added.

UN agencies and programmes will continue to operate in Iraq.

"IRAQ IS NOW A NORMAL COUNTRY" 

During a press conference earlier with Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, Guterres said: "There is one thing the world must understand, Iraq is now a normal country."

"Relations between the UN and Iraq will become normal relations with the end of UNAMI."

Sudani said that the end of the UNAMI mandate "marks the beginning of a new chapter of cooperation".

"Our relationship with the United Nations through UNAMI was pivotal and effective in meeting Iraq's needs and supporting it until it reached the stage of full self-reliance," he added.

UNAMI was established by a UN Security Council resolution at the request of the Iraqi government, before it was expanded four years later.

Shortly after it was formed, a truck bomb struck the UN headquarters in Baghdad on August 19, 2003, killing the UN's first special representative in Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello, along with 21 others.

UNAMI's tasks included advising the government on political dialogue and reconciliation, as well as helping with elections and security sector reform.

But with Iraq regaining a sense of normalcy in recent years, authorities say there are no longer grounds for a UN political mission.

Sign up for our newsletters

Get our pick of top stories and thought-provoking articles in your inbox

Subscribe here

Get the CNA app

Stay updated with notifications for breaking news and our best stories

Download here

Get WhatsApp alerts

Join our channel for the top reads for the day on your preferred chat app

Join here