US withdrawal marks new moment in Iraq history: UN chief
December 21st, 2011 - 10:14 am ICT by IANSUnited Nations, Dec 21 (IANS) Iraq will have a new opportunity to prove that it can put past troubles behind it with the full withdrawal of US forces from the country, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said.
“The completion of the withdrawal of the US military forces marks a new moment in Iraq’s recent history,” Xinhua quoted a statement from the UN chief as saying.
“This important development is an opportunity for Iraqi leaders to demonstrate to their people and to the world that they are fully capable of steering the country towards a better future,” it said.
The US signed a document Dec 18 officially ending the Iraq war, after the last American combat forces left the country. The US began fighting in Iraq in 2003 and has had a presence on the ground since.
According to the statement, Ban said he was closely following the current political situation in Iraq.
Ban urged Iraqi political leaders “to engage in inclusive and constructive dialogue to resolve their differences and build on the achievements that have been made so far in laying the ground for a democratic state”.
“Iraqi leaders owe it to the people of Iraq who elected them to work together in spirit of partnership and national unity to address the pressing challenges facing the country,” the statement said.
The UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) was “still strongly committed” to helping the government and people of the country, he said.
- Russia condemns Iraq terror attacks - Aug 16, 2011
- Ban Ki-moon urges Egypt to address people's concerns - Feb 02, 2011
- Listen to people, UN chief tells leaders (Lead) - Mar 12, 2011
- Afghan situation cause for alarm, concern: UN chief - Apr 27, 2012
- Partnership with Afghanistan to continue after 2014: Ban - May 21, 2012
- Polls critical step in Myanmar reform: UN - Apr 12, 2012
- Russia, China kill India-backed resolution on Syria (Lead) - Feb 05, 2012
- UN calls urgent meeting on Libya - Aug 24, 2011
- Iran hails US withdrawal from Iraq - Jan 02, 2012
- UN chief to visit Egypt, Tunisia - Mar 12, 2011
- 'US withdrawal closes important chapter in Iraq history' - Dec 16, 2011
- Iraqi factions sign peace pact proposed by radical Shiite cleric - Dec 25, 2011
- UN chief deeply concerned over situation in Sudan - Jun 16, 2011
- UN to help rebel-led NTC build Libya's future: Ban - Sep 02, 2011
- UN chief hails Fiji's plan for new constitution - Mar 13, 2012
Tags: assistance mission, ban ki moon, better future, combat forces, constructive dialogue, current political situation in iraq, democratic state, fighting in iraq, iraq history, iraq war, iraqi leaders, military forces, national unity, people of iraq, political leaders, political situation, situation in iraq, un secretary general, unami, xinhua