S/PV.7093 Security Council

Under rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representative of Iraq to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. After consultations among Council members, I have been authorized to make the following statement on their behalf: (spoke in English) “The Security Council deplores in the strongest terms the recent events in the cities of Ramadi and Fallujah in Anbar province in Iraq. The Security Council condemns the attacks that are being perpetrated by Al-Qaida affiliate, the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), against the people of Iraq in an attempt to destabilize the country and region. The Security Council recognizes that Iraqi security forces, local police and tribes in Anbar province are showing great courage as they fight to defeat ISIL in their cities. “The Security Council urges the people of Iraq, including Iraqi tribes, local leaders and Iraqi security forces in Anbar province, to continue, expand and strengthen their cooperation against violence and terror, and it stresses the critical importance of continued national dialogue and unity. The Security Council welcomes comments from Grand Ayatollah al-Sistani welcoming internally displaced residents of Anbar to Najaf and Karbala, as well as the commitment of a number of communities — Sunni, Shia and Kurd — to meet the needs of the displaced. “The Security Council expresses its strong support for the continued efforts of the Iraqi Government to help meet the security needs of the entire population of Iraq. In this regard, the Security Council acknowledges the efforts of the Iraqi security forces and Iraqi local police, whose members are also being targeted and killed in ongoing attacks by terrorists. The Security Council welcomes the commitment of the Government of Iraq in the protection of the civilian population in Fallujah and elsewhere and to the provision of humanitarian relief, and encourages the Government of Iraq to continue working with the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) and humanitarian agencies to ensure the delivery of humanitarian relief. The Security Council expresses concern about the impact of the violence on civilians and encourages the safe passage of civilians trapped in conflict areas, as well as the safe return of internally displaced persons as conditions allow. “The Security Council stresses the critical importance of continued national dialogue and unity, an inclusive political process, the holding of free and fair elections in April 2014, and the right to peaceful protest as guaranteed under the Iraqi Constitution. The Security Council believes that this is vital to underpin a unified national stance against terrorism and to ensure Iraq’s long-term security. “The Security Council reaffirms the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice and urges all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with Iraqi authorities in this regard. “The Security Council reaffirms that ISIL is subject to the arms embargo and assets freeze imposed by Security Council resolutions 1267 (1999) and 2083 (2012) and underlines the importance of prompt and effective implementation of these measures. “The Security Council reaffirms the need to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed. The Security Council reminds States that they must ensure that measures taken to combat terrorism comply with all their obligations under international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law. “The Security Council reaffirms its support for the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Iraq. The Security Council reiterates that no terrorist act can reverse the path towards peace, democracy and reconstruction in Iraq, which is supported by the people and the Government of Iraq and the international community.” (spoke in Arabic) This statement will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/PRST/2014/1. I now give the floor to the representative of Iraq.

At the outset, I would like to congratulate you, Sir, and the friendly Kingdom of Jordan on your assumption of the Arab seat on the Council and your presidency of the Council for this month. I would also like to congratulate Lithuania, Nigeria, Chad and Chile on having been elected as members of the Council and wish them every success in their task. Iraq is fully prepared to cooperate with all of them. I would also like to congratulate the entire membership of the Security Council and wish them a very happy new year in 2014. On behalf of my delegation, I would like to extend our thanks and appreciation to the Council for the presidential statement it has just adopted (S/PRST/2014/1) in support of Iraq’s efforts in combating terrorism in the form of Al-Qaida elements in Iraq. My Government highly appreciates the full support of the entire membership of the Security Council for the efforts of the Iraqi Government, its armed forces, the local police and the sons and daughters of the tribes of Anbar, and in particular Fallujah, who have stood fast and united against Al-Qaida and its elements in order to save Fallujah and Anbar at this time. Terrorism is an international scourge that we should all work to eliminate. This will happen only with the full cooperation of all States and international organizations, the implementation of binding resolutions, and coherent, good faith efforts to protect international peace and security. The defeat of Al-Qaida and the remnants of the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant marks the start of their defeat in the other States of the region. International efforts should be coordinated with a view to achieving that noble objective. Today all elements, factions and tribes of Iraq have stood as one united front against terrorism throughout the country with a view to restoring Anbar and Fallujah to their inhabitants. I offer our sincere thanks and appreciation to the brave Iraqi soldiers, police personnel and tribal men and women who have all played an extremely important role in combating terrorism and containing and putting an end to the control of their cities by Al-Qaida elements.

There are no more names inscribed on the list of speakers. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda.