The U.N. Security Council said Wednesday that it's appalled by the latest terrorist attacks on Iraqi Christians, calling them a blow against religious diversity and democracy.
The 15-member council expressed support of the Iraqi people and government in a statement issued after a closed-door briefing Wednesday morning, saying it trusted the country would reject extremist efforts to spark sectarian ********. "No terrorist act can reverse a path toward peace, democracy and reconstruction in Iraq," it said.
A series of roadside bombs blew up in predominantly Christian neighbourhoods in Iraq earlier in the day, ******* at least five people. Less than two weeks ago, insurgents besieged a Christian church and ****** 68 people in an assault that drew international condemnation.
An al-Qaida-linked group has claimed responsibility for the church ******.
The Security Council statement condemned "all incitement to and acts of ********, particularly those motivated by religious hatred" and urged countries to work together to "bring the perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice."
British Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant said several council members worried that the attacks could drive from Iraq the religious minorities with "a long history and tradition in the region ... one of the bedrocks of long-term stability in the Middle East."
French Ambassador Gerard Araud said the "horrendous ******" against Iraqi Christians was "an ****** against the diversity of Iraqi society, which means Iraqi democracy."
