The UN Security Council yesterday demanded urgent inclusive dialogue in Iraq and condemned “terrorist” activities, but stopped short of mulling action against militants advancing on Baghdad.
The Council met for two hours behind closed doors as Kurds captured the contested oil city of Kirkuk and the United States contemplated air strikes to bolster Iraq´s rapidly collapsing army.
The 15 members expressed unanimous support for the government and people of Iraq in their fight against terrorism and called for broad-based dialogue, said rotating president Russia.
“This is a great opportunity for a fresh start in having an all-inclusive political dialogue and also in resolving the multitude of issues,” Russian ambassador Vitaly Churkin said.
“There must be a strong and intensified effort to start this dialogue,” he added, after Iraqi MPs failed to show up to authorize the prime minister´s request for a state of emergency.
