He stressed the need for measures to be taken to restore the rule of law as well as basic services in Ramadi and to allow for the return of internally displaced persons as soon as possible, offering UN support for this.

Ban also voiced concern at the recent abduction of a group of Qatari citizens in Iraq, including children, and urged the Prime Minister to do everything possible to ensure their prompt and safe release.

Photo: UNICEF/ Wathiq Khuzaie