Omani diplomat appointed as special United Nations envoy for Iraq

The United Nations Security Council has approved the appointment of Dr Mohamed bin Awad Alhassan, Oman's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, as the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General for Iraq and as head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI). He is the first Arab to be appointed to the position.

Ambassador Alhassan has extensive experience in the diplomatic and political fields, including as Chair of the UN Special Political and Decolonisation Committee and Facilitator for the UN's Counter-Terrorism Strategy.

His selection can also attributed to Oman's foreign policy, known for its moderation and balance, and its impressive record in peace diplomacy, conflict resolution, and the peaceful settlement of disputes between nations.

The Iraqi government approved the appointment, looking forward to ending the political mandate of UNAMI, thus allowing Iraq to transition to a new phase of political and economic development and positive interaction with the international community.

Ambassador Alhassan is expected to work closely with the Iraqi government to make progress on unresolved issues, including those that may pose a threat to peace and security in Iraq.

International observers believe it is significant that the UN Secretary-General has chosen to appoint a Special Envoy and Head of UNAMI from a Gulf Arab state with good relations with all and a commendable record in resolving disputes and fostering mutual understanding between nations is significant.

This is an unofficial English version of an Arabic report. To view the official Arabic text, click here.