United Nations Radio

Iraq is reaching a critical point in its recovery and reconstruction.

Special envoy Staffan de Mistura told the Security Council Friday that with improved security comes the growing demand to meet the basic needs of ordinary Iraqis, including jobs and services.

But he says life is not improving equally for all Iraqis, with many still feeling the impact of past conflict and chronic neglect dating back to the 1990's:

"Major infrastructure and service delivery are still challenging. Employment opportunities have not grown with oil revenues, keeping some Iraqis in poverty still. In pockets of Iraq, there are fewer than a third of the population still receiving basic water services, and not enough children attending schools."

De Mistura says it's on that basis that the Iraqi people will judge their government and the electorate will hold the local representatives accountable.

This is Donn Bobb reporting for United Nations Radio.

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