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06:09 GMT
NEW YORK, Mar 1 (KUNA) -- The United Nations reiterated its commitment to support Iraq in its work to promote national dialogue and reconciliation.
This came in a statement issued by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's press office condemning the recent "atrocious" terrorist attacks in Baghdad and Muqdadiya that killed scores of civilians and injured many more.
The Secretary General is concerned that these cowardly attacks claimed by the so-called Islamic State (IS) at funerals, markets, and places of worship are aimed at undermining the unity of the people of Iraq, the statement added.
Ban then appealed to the Iraqis to reject such attempts at fear-mongering. He called on the Government of Iraq "to make sure that the perpetrators of these crimes are swiftly brought to justice."
On Monday, at least 38 people were killed and dozens more were injured by a suicide bomber at a funeral in Muqdadiya, about 60 miles north of Baghdad, while a suicide blast at a security checkpoint in Baghdad's western outskirts killed at least eight members of the security forces, according to reports. (end)
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