There have been significant developments in Iraq in recent months – which has so far avoided being dragged into the widening Middle East conflict – but corruption and other challenges persist, the new UN Special Representative for the country told the Security Council on Friday.
“As you have heard many times by now, today’s Iraq is not the same as the Iraq of 20 years ago, or even five years ago. Iraq today is more secure, stable and open, despite the many obstacles facing the country,” Mohamed Al Hassan said in his first briefing to ambassadors.
The envoy, who also heads the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI), expressed confidence that the country “is capable of overcoming crises and facing challenges towards forging a more secure, bright and hopeful future.”
