Iraqi UN Envoy to Leave Office

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Saturday, April 12, 2003

Iraqi UN Envoy to Leave Office

Iraqi Ambassador to the United Nations Mohammed Aldouri spent his last day Friday at the UN headquarters in New York and is expected to leave for Europe on Friday night.

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Iraqi Ambassador to the United Nations Mohammed Aldouri spent his last day Friday at the UN headquarters in New York and is expected to leave for Europe on Friday night.

Aldouri bid farewell to his fellow diplomats and was seen escorted to the gate of the UN headquarters by a number of diplomats and reporters.

An Arab diplomat confirmed that Aldouri planned to fly to Parison Friday night and then head to the Syrian capital of Damascus. The Iraqi mission will be headed by Aldouri's deputy, he said.

Aldouri told reporters he left his office because he could not work any longer in a country that is invading his motherland.

Aldouri, who assumed his current post in 2001, said the only thing he wanted now is to collect information about his family in Baghdad.

The 60-year-old envoy, who admitted Wednesday the war in Iraq was over, also expressed the hope that the Iraqi people would live in peace and in security.

He said he was "very serene with myself" about leaving his office and the situation now in Iraq is "very bad."

In an interview with the Dubai-based Al Arabiya TV on Thursday, Aldouri said it was impossible for him to work in a country "that is militarily invading Iraq, destroying, ravaging and killing."

On the other hand, he doubted the authority in post-war Iraq would allow him to work with full freedom at the United Nations. "Because I fear pressure to which I might be subjected, I have chosen to quit with honor and dignity."

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan confirmed Thursday that Aldouridid not ask for an asylum or protection.

The US-British coalition forces, which invaded Iraq three weeksago, have controlled large portions of the Gulf state, including most parts of the capital city of Baghdad. Lawlessness, chaos and looting were reported in occupied areas and the whereabouts of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein remained unknown.

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