Dinarsareus
06-22-2010, 04:03 AM
Jun 21, 2010
BEIRUT, Jun 21, 2010 (AFP) - The head of the UN refugee agency on Monday called for Iraq to form a new government on a non-sectarian basis to encourage the return of Iraqis who have fled the war-torn country.
"We hope the next government (of Iraq) will gather Iraqis around a real work programme and on a basis that isn't confessional," UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres said during a visit to Lebanon.
"The establishment of a non-denominational government in Iraq is the best way to help improve security and allow the refugees to return home with dignity," he told AFP.
Speaking after meeting with Iraqi refugees in Beirut's Amel housing facility, he stressed the current state of security in Iraq "does not permit the return of refugees."
A political vacuum persists in Iraq more than three months after an inconclusive general election.
Guterres expressed his "gratitude to Syria and Jordan for having authorised the exit and the return of some families to enable them to explore the situation in Iraq."
Lebanon currently has about 50,000 Iraqi refugees, with around 10,000 of them receiving aid from non-governmental organisations, according to Kamel Mohanna, the head of Amel.
During a visit to Damascus, Guterres warned on Sunday against forcing Iraqis to return to their country until the security situation there improves.
On Friday, Guterres said the UNCHR has referred 100,000 Iraqi refugees in the Middle East for resettlement in third countries since 2007, with more than 52,000 of them having left the region up to last month.
http://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidANA20100621T184949ZDVL83/UNrefugeechiefcallsfornon-sectarianIraqgovernment
BEIRUT, Jun 21, 2010 (AFP) - The head of the UN refugee agency on Monday called for Iraq to form a new government on a non-sectarian basis to encourage the return of Iraqis who have fled the war-torn country.
"We hope the next government (of Iraq) will gather Iraqis around a real work programme and on a basis that isn't confessional," UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres said during a visit to Lebanon.
"The establishment of a non-denominational government in Iraq is the best way to help improve security and allow the refugees to return home with dignity," he told AFP.
Speaking after meeting with Iraqi refugees in Beirut's Amel housing facility, he stressed the current state of security in Iraq "does not permit the return of refugees."
A political vacuum persists in Iraq more than three months after an inconclusive general election.
Guterres expressed his "gratitude to Syria and Jordan for having authorised the exit and the return of some families to enable them to explore the situation in Iraq."
Lebanon currently has about 50,000 Iraqi refugees, with around 10,000 of them receiving aid from non-governmental organisations, according to Kamel Mohanna, the head of Amel.
During a visit to Damascus, Guterres warned on Sunday against forcing Iraqis to return to their country until the security situation there improves.
On Friday, Guterres said the UNCHR has referred 100,000 Iraqi refugees in the Middle East for resettlement in third countries since 2007, with more than 52,000 of them having left the region up to last month.
http://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidANA20100621T184949ZDVL83/UNrefugeechiefcallsfornon-sectarianIraqgovernment