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On 19 September, at the meeting of the United Nations Security Council, the Lithuanian permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Raimonda Murmokaitė expressed Lithuania’s support for the new government of Iraq and underlined that it had to remain inclusive and represent the interests of all the groups and components of the society.

A united and democratic Iraq within the internationally recognised borders, with a viable, inclusive and representative government where the interests of all social, political, religious and ethnic groups of the society are taken into account, is the only antidote to the spread of murderous radical extremism, which is threatening the very existence of Iraq, stated the Lithuanian Representative at the meeting.

Speaking about the threats posed by radical extremism, first and foremost, by the threats posed by terrorist groups ISIL, the Ambassador Rimonda Murmokaitė underlined that not a single ethnic or religious minority could be safe in the territories occupied by ISIL. The Yezidis, Shabak, and also Christian minorities who have been part and parcel of Iraq’s unique heritage are persecuted, forced to convert, and brutally executed. The Lithuanian Representative drew attention to the fact that it was against this horrific background of ISIL murderous onslaught that the new government of Iraq must tackle the multiple challenges facing the country today. It was especially important to counter ISIL’s operations and recruitment machinery within Iraq. The international community must act as one to tackle the spread of radical extremism and the likes of ISIL.

The Lithuanian Representative welcomed the initiative of the United States of America to hold a special high level meeting of the UN Security Council on the matters of foreign fighters-terrorists next week.

The US Security Council meeting has been convened on the initiative of the USA that is presiding over the Security Council to discuss the situation in Iraq seeking to express support for the new Government of Iraq, its efforts to fight against the terrorist group ISIL and the humanitarian crisis that has hit the country. The meeting of the Security Council was chaired by the United States Secretary of State John Kerry; The Foreign Minister of Iraq and Foreign Ministers from 18 states took part in the meeting. During the meeting members of the Security Council adopted the statement of the Chairman in which support for the new inclusive Government of Iraq was expressed, the activity of terrorist groups, including that of ISIL, was condemned.

Photo: UN/Eskinder Debebe.