U.N. secretary general reiterates support to Iraq

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon on Friday reiterated his assertion to continue supporting Iraq. “Iraqi President Jalal Talabani on Friday discussed with Ban Ki-Moon the latest developments in Iraq and the U.N.. efforts to help the Iraqi people,” the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) said in a statement received by IraqiNews.com news agency. “The U.N. official asserted the continuation of supporting Iraq to solve all internal and regional issues,” the statement added. “President Talabani expressed hope that the Ban Ki-Moon would contribute in developing Iraq’s relations with neighboring countries,” it also said. The meeting was attended by senior Iraqi and U.N. officials in Iraq. Ban Ki-Moon had arrived in Baghdad earlier in the day. SH (P) 1