“I am deeply shocked and utterly dismayed by the despicable attacks across Iraq today that have claimed the lives of scores of Iraqis, including many pilgrims, and have injured dozens more,” the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), Martin Kobler, said in a news release.

“The scale of the violence is disturbing – I urgently appeal to the government to address the root causes of the violence and terrorism that are causing so much suffering and pain to the Iraqi people,” he added.

According to media reports, a wave of bombings across Iraq yesterday killed dozens and wounded hundreds; with many of those killed in the capital, Baghdad, having gathered for a Shia religious festival.

Kobler extended his condolences to the families of those who were killed and his wishes for the speedy recovery of those who were hurt.

Separately, the Special Representative travelled to Erbil and Sulaymaniyah in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region on Tuesday, and discussed the current political situation in Iraq with President Jalal Talabani and the President of the Kurdistan Region, Masoud Barzani.

In his meetings, Martin Kobler encouraged all parties in Iraq to engage in inclusive dialogue and to resolve their differences in accordance with the constitution. “He stressed to his interlocutors that UNAMI stands ready to assist and facilitate. In addition, he expressed his concern that the current political stalemate is diverting attention from pressing economic, social and security issues,” UNAMI said in a news release.