In Iraq, the toll from Wednesday’s string of attacks in Baghdad has risen to 101 dead and more than 500 wounded. It was the deadliest day of coordinated bombings in Iraq since February 2008. The attacks came on the six-year anniversary of the bombings of the UN mission in Iraq that killed twenty-two people, including top UN envoy Sergio Vieira de Mello. On Wednesday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon paid tribute to de Mello and condemned the latest attacks.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon: “Today is the anniversary of the anniversary of the Canal Hotel bombing in Iraq which killed Sergio and twenty-one other distinguished colleagues. I am saddened that the violence continues, including the appalling string of attacks today in Baghdad which took the lives of scores of innocent people.”