UN chief supports peace in Iraq

(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) Baghdad Dec 30 (KUNA) -- United Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon assured Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi full support in a phone call a statement from Al-Abadi's office said on Wednesday.The UN Secretary General congratulated the people of Iraq on its army's major victory over the so-called Islamic State (IS) subsequently liberating the city of Ramadi from IS control the statement said.This victory is a message of hope to the international community and the next step is the crucial process of resettling civilians displaced by the war the statement added.The Iraqi PM said that government forces not only control the center of Ramadi but have fully captured coastal areas within the city as well.Restoring stability and security in Ramadi is our chief concern Al-Abadi added.Ramadi is the capital of Anbar province in the Euphrates River valley west of the capital Baghdad.On December 27 Iraq's army declared victory over IS the first major triumph for government forces since it collapsed in the face of an onslaught by IS 18 months ago. (end) ahh.nam