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Martin Kobler appointed UN Special Representative for Iraq and head of UNAMI
The UN Secretary-General appointed the German diplomat and former deputy head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) Martin Kobler as Special Representative for Iraq and head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI).
The United Nations Secretary-General today (5 August) appointed the German diplomat and former deputy head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) Martin Kobler as Special Representative for Iraq and head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI).
Federal Foreign Minister Westerwelle explicitly welcomed this decision and congratulated Martin Kobler:
“I would like to congratulate Martin Kobler on his appointment today as UN Special Representative for Iraq and head of UNAMI. I wish him good luck and every success for the tasks that lie ahead.
I would like to thank him most sincerely for the excellent job he did in his previous position as deputy head of the UN mission in Afghanistan.”
The UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) was established by UN Security Council Resolution 1500 (2003) on 14 August 2003. Under the leadership of the Special Representative, UNAMI carries out extensive support and coordinating measures in cooperation with the Iraqi Government, such as implementing political and economic reforms, resolving conflicts over the demarcation of internal borders, maintaining the regional dialogue, re-integrating former members of illegal armed groups, facilitating the return of refugees and internally displaced persons as well as encouraging national reconciliation.
Furthermore, the Special Representative is responsible for coordinating the activities of the 16 UN bodies, programmes and funds in Iraq. Approximately 1000 people are currently working for UNAMI, about 800 of them being civilian staff members and roughly 230 military personnel. The mission’s political significance is expected to increase even more with the further withdrawal of US troops.