Blast Rocks U.N. Leader’s Baghdad Trip
A visit to Baghdad by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon took a turn for the dramatic today when an explosion went off near the building where he was holding a discussion with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki. The blast, apparently caused by a mortar, shook things up in the middle of the televised event Thursday afternoon.
A visit to Baghdad by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon took a turn for the dramatic today when an explosion went off near the building where he was holding a discussion with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki. The blast, apparently caused by a mortar, shook things up in the middle of the televised event Thursday afternoon.
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As Mr Ban was speaking during the live televised event, a mortar or rocket landed about 100 metres (330ft) from the building, causing him to duck.
Mr Ban appeared frightened but neither he nor Mr Maliki was hurt.
The UN chief had earlier arrived on his first visit to Baghdad since he took office in January this year.
The BBC’s Hugh Sykes in Baghdad says buildings and windows shook when the huge bang reverberated throughout the city shortly after 1530 (1230 GMT).
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The president may not want war with Iran, but he does want to push the regime into submission and tout U.S. military dominance to his base.
Meanwhile, thousands of Iraqi anti-government protesters call on both Iran and America to leave the country.
There's no justification for Qassem Soleimani's assassination, and if we avoid another war in the Middle East, we'll have Tehran to thank.
As a candidate in 2016, he praised war crimes and expressed a desire to commit some of his own. No one can claim surprise or betrayal now.
However Iran chooses to respond to the assassination of Qassem Soleimani, America's influence in the region is guaranteed to deteriorate.
Rocket falls near U.S. Embassy in Iraq hours after funeral for Qassem Soleimani at which crowd chants "Death to America, death to Israel."
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