UN mission condemns assassination attempt on Iraq premier

By Abdul-Jabbar Abu Ras

BAGHDAD (AA) – The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) has condemned an assassination attempt against Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi by a drone attack on his residence in capital Baghdad.

"The Mission expresses its relief that the Prime Minister was not hurt in the drone attack," UNAMI said in a statement on Sunday.

"Terrorism, violence and unlawful acts must not be allowed to undermine Iraq's stability and derail its democratic process,” it added.

The UN mission called on all sides in Iraq to take "responsibility for de-escalation and to engage in dialogue."

Early on Sunday, the Iraqi army said al-Kadhimi survived a failed assassination attempt by an explosive-laden drone on his residence.

Following the assassination attempt, al-Kadhimi called for "calm and restraint from all for the sake of Iraq."

The attempt came amid protests by supporters of the Iran-backed Al-Fatah Coalition and Hashd al-Shaabi militia against the results of last month’s parliamentary elections.

* Writing by Ahmed Asmar in Ankara