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UN secretary general condemns terrorist attack in Baghdad

"The Secretary-General appeals to the people of Iraq to reject any attempts to spread fear and undermine the unity of the country", the spokesman for the secretary general said

© EPA/MAJA SUSLIN

UNITED NATIONS, July 3. /TASS/. United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has condemned Sunday’s terrorist attacks in Baghdad and called on the Iraqi authorities to spare no effort to bring to justice those responsible.

"The Secretary-General condemns the terrorist attacks in Baghdad today. He is appalled by the utter disregard for human life displayed by the perpetrators, who struck as residents prepared for Eid al-Fitr celebrations," the spokesman for the secretary general said in a press statement.

"The Secretary-General appeals to the people of Iraq to reject any attempts to spread fear and undermine the unity of the country. He calls on the Government of Iraq to ensure that the perpetrators of this horrific crime are brought to justice as soon as possible," the document says. "The Secretary-General expresses his deep sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims, and to the Government and people of Iraq. He wishes the many injured a speedy recovery."

A car bomb driven by a suicide bomber detonated overnight to Sunday in the al-Qarrada district in downtown Baghdad. The area featuring lots of restaurants and shops was crowded with people on the eve of the Eid al-Fitr holiday. The explosion caused fire in a number of buildings.

According to Al Jazeera, the blast claimed the lives of more than 130 people. Other sources put the number of the blast victims at more than 160. The extremist organization Islamic State [which is banned in Russia] has claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack.

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