UN official briefs UNSC on security situation in Iraqi Anbar province

Security Council President H.R.H. Prince Zeid Ra'ad Zeid Al-Hussein of Jordan late Thursday said Special Representative and Head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) Nickolay Mladenov briefed the Council members via video-teleconference on the deteriorating security situation in the Iraqi Anbar Province. He told reporters following the briefing that the discussion "focused on the danger of the current situation and the challenges facing the Iraqi Government." "The Council members expressed complete condemnation of all terrorist acts occurring there, and the Council will continue to look at all options available" on this issue, he added. Council members said that after Mladenov's briefing, the US circulated a draft presidential statement on the issue. The 15 members sent it to their capitals for examination. Its approval is imminent. The draft apparently deplores the attacks in Ramadi and Fallujah, condemns terrorism, recognizes the efforts of the Iraqi security forces and Sunni tribal leaders in the fight against Al-Qaida and ISIS, and expresses support for the government in addressing the country's security needs. The diplomats also said that language has been suggested to refer to the importance of national dialogue and unity, and echo Mladenov's call for the government to show maximum restraint