Immediate measures to deal with Christians’ displacement

Defense minister, Czech amb BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The Iraqi Premier Nouri al-Maliki on Sunday said that his government will take immediate measures to solve problems that Christians face in Mosul city, referring that he will order to provide protection to them, but without specifying when. “Christians have the right to dignity and secured living, and they are an important component of the Iraqi people that deserve care, attention and appreciation,” a release that was issued by al-Maliki’s office and received by IraqiNews.com quoted him while speaking to two Christian lawmakers, Yonadim Kena and Abdulahad Afram. “The government is interested in this issue, and will adopt immediate measures to solve problems and troubles that face Christians in Mosul,” al-Maliki added while receiving the two legislatures at his office in Baghdad. “Ninewa operations command and security services will be ordered to provide the required protection for Christians,” he explained without specifying when those orders would be made. “Security services in Ninewa will take the required measures to restore displaced people at their houses, and to admit terrorist groups that conduct this terrorist plot to judiciary,” he noted. The release quoted Kena, who represents the Mesopotamia List, thanking al-Maliki “for taking care of Iraqi Christians and for his continuous efforts to provide them with security and good living.” Yesterday, a media source from the Assyrian Democratic Movement said that notables of some neighborhoods in Mosul city expressed commitment to protect and defend Christians from any attacks, adding that five Christian families practically returned to the city . A day before that, a media source from the Movement in Ninewa said that some 295 Christian families fled the city of Mosul during the past three days, while an Iraqi military source said that four Christians were killed in two separate attacks in Mosul, recording a rising wave of attacks against the religious minority in the northern volatile city. Mosul, the capital city of Ninewa province, lies 405 km north of Baghdad. MH (S)/SR 1