ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The new head of the UN assistance mission in Iraq, Mohamed al-Hassan, on Monday met with the country’s highest Shiite religious authority, with both emphasizing the need to safeguard the well-being and dignity of Iraqis, free from foreign interference.
“I gained much guidance, advice, and perspectives aimed at protecting and elevating the well-being of human beings and preserving their dignity wherever they are,” UN Assistance Mission for Iraq chief Hassan, referring to Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani.
Sistani was born in Iran’s Mashhad in 1930. He has held the position of Iraq’s most senior Shiite authority since the 1990s and is respected by Muslims around the world.
Hassan expressed gratitude for “the continued support of His Eminence” for the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) over the last two decades,” adding a commitment to “jointly working towards building on Iraq’s regional and international standing.”
Referring to Sistani, Hassan emphasized: “We, in the United Nations, categorically reject any threat to the Marjaiya, in light of the symbolic significance and respect enjoyed in this country and throughout the world.”
In October, a right-wing Israeli broadcaster displayed images of six Iranian and pro-Iran figures, including Sistani, with crosshairs on their heads, suggesting they were potential targets.
Following this Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani told a US delegation in Baghdad that disrespecting the country's religious figures is "an affront" to the feelings of Muslims.
“The UN’s presence in and support for Iraq will continue in the interests of this country and its people, through several programs and projects of a developmental, social and technical nature, in order to promote democracy and human rights and ensure respect for all Iraqis,” the statement added.
The UNAMI mission is set to end on December 31, 2025. Sudani made the request in May through a letter submitted to the UN Secretary-General and Security Council, stressing bilateral relationships should be “based on bilateral consultation and respect for Iraq's will and sovereignty.”
At a forum held in Erbil on Wednesday, Hassan clarified that the end of the United Nations’ mission in Iraq does not signify the end of its support or presence in the country.
A statement from Sistani’s office noted, “His Eminence welcomed the presence of the United Nations in Iraq and wished its mission success in carrying out its tasks.”
Sistani emphasized the importance of “preventing foreign interference in all its forms, enforcing the rule of law, restricting arms to the state, and combating corruption at all levels.”
The statement added that Sistani expressed “deep sorrow over the ongoing tragedy in Lebanon and Gaza and his deep regret over the inability of the international community and its institutions to impose effective solutions” to halt the violence or, at the very least, to protect civilians from the suffering inflicted by “the fierce aggression practiced by the Israeli entity.”
In a statement last month, Sistani condemned Israel’s recent attacks on Lebanon, urging that “every possible effort” be made to end “the ongoing barbaric aggression.” He also called upon “believers to do what contributes to alleviating their suffering and securing their humanitarian needs.”
Palestinian Hamas militants launched a large-scale incursion into southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing more than 1,170 people, according to Israeli figures. Israel responded with a massive ongoing offensive in Gaza, killing over 40,000 people, mostly civilians, according to the Palestinian health ministry.
The deadly war has spilled over to neighboring Lebanon, where its Hezbollah movement has fired missiles and used explosive-laden drones to attack Israeli targets.
Iraq is at the forefront of regional countries defending against Israeli attacks, and Baghdad has sent several rounds of aid to the Gaza Strip. Pro-Iran Iraqi militia groups have launched numerous rocket and drone attacks against Israel.
