HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING
BY FARHAN HAQ
ASSOCIATE SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON
U.N. HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK
Monday, July 27, 2009
IRAQ: UNITED
NATIONS CONGRATULATES KURDISTAN ON PEACEFUL, ORDERLY ELECTION
The UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI)
congratulates the people of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq for having turned
out in large numbers, especially women, on July 23 and 25 to exercise their
right to elect new representatives, in an orderly environment, notably free
of violence.
UNAMI also praises the efforts of the Independent High
Electoral Commission for having organized and carried out these elections as
planned, and for the commitment of the staff involved at each step of the
process.
The UN Mission is confident that the people and
political entities of the Kurdistan region will show patience until the
publication of the final results. It also encourages all observers to
continue to follow the special vote count, tabulation and complaint process
to ensure full transparency and to increase confidence in the acceptance of
the final results.
Also today, Iraq’s Ministry of Planning and Development
Cooperation and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT)
jointly launched the HABITAT Iraq Country Programme for 2009-2011.