Ban Ki-moon in Baghdad in show of support to Iraq (Roundup)

Feb 6, 2009, 14:16 GMT

A handout picture released by Iraqi Prime Minister Office shows Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki (R) speaks during a joint press conference with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon(L) during his surprise visit to Baghdad Iraq on 06 February 2009 . EPA/IRAQI PRIME MINISTER OFFICE

Baghdad - Iraqi President Jalal Talabani on Friday expressed hope that UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon would contribute in developing Iraq's relations with neighboring countries, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) said in a statement posted on its website.

The appeal came as Ban Ki-moon met with Talabani during a previously unannounced visit to Baghdad on Friday.

A UN spokesman said Ban's visit was meant to reassure Baghdad about the UN's commitment to the country and to congratulate the Iraqi people on the success of provincial elections

The PUK statement asserted that Ban Ki-moon underlined the UN 'continuation of support to Iraq to solve all internal and regional issues.'

Ban, whose visit comes a week after Iraq's historical provincial elections, also met with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, whose list prevailed in preliminary election results.

'I came to Iraq today in order to congratulate the Iraqi people and the Iraqi government after last Saturday's provincial elections and to show the support of the international community during this momentous time,' Ban said at a joint press briefing with al-Maliki.

While Ban acknowledged the progress in Iraq, he said there was 'still a long way to go before Iraqis could claim to have genuine freedom and security.'

The United Nations played a key role in organising the elections. It provided the country's Independent High Electoral Commission with assistance in organizing the poll held on Saturday in 14 of Iraq's 18 provinces. General elections are due to be held by the end of this year.

The UN chief arrived from Afghanistan, where the day before he had paid a likewise previously unannounced visit and had met with President Hamid Karzai.

Ban stressed the world body's firm support for Afghanistan, saying it will be a key priority for the UN in 2009.