UN envoy to probe Baghdad security following deadly bombings

Nov 2, 2009, 9:58 GMT

  Baghdad - A UN special envoy was scheduled to discuss security in Baghdad with senior officials Monday, following repeated Iraqi requests for a probe into two devastating bombings in the Iraqi capital.

UN Assistant Secretary General Oscar Fernandez-Taranco, who arrived Sunday night, was due to meet Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, as well as the Iraqi interior, defence and foreign ministers, Baghdad's al-Sabah newspaper reported.

Iraq has requested an independent probe into the deadly October 25 and August 19 truck bombings in Baghdad that together killed 255 people, left hundreds more injured, and caused tens of millions of dollars' worth of damage to the ministries of justice, finance and foreign affairs.   Iraq's top political leaders blamed former Baathists now taking refuge in Syria for coordinating the attacks. Al-Maliki's accusations that Syria was not doing enough to prevent such attacks have led to a diplomatic row between the neighbours.

  Fernandez-Taranco would 'examine hundreds of documents and photographs that prove the involvement of Baathists in the latest deadly bombings that claimed the lives of hundreds of Iraqis,' al-Sabah reported.   But UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, announcing on Wednesday he would send Fernandez-Taranco in response to Iraq's request for a probe, was careful to stress that the Argentine diplomat was not there to launch a formal investigation.

Fernandez-Taranco would conduct 'preliminary consultations related to Iraq's security and sovereignty,' Ban told reporters.

A formal investigation would require 'a clear mandate from the Security Council,' he said.

The Islamic State in Iraq, an umbrella Sunni insurgent group that includes the Iraqi branch of al-Qaeda, took responsibility for both bombings.

Iraqi officials announced late last week that they had arrested 60 security officers in connection with the October 25 attack, after video footage showed the trucks used in the bombings passing unmolested through police checkpoints.