United Nations Radio

The UN special envoy for Iraq, Staffan de Mistura(photo), on Thursday expressed shock and outrage at the continued targeting and killing of religious minorities, following the murder of two Christian sisters in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul.

That murder was followed by the flight of thousands of Mosul residents from their homes after a campaign of threats and attacks.

De Mistura said that Mosul has historically been, and must remain, a cradle of religious and ethnic diversity.

He reiterated the United Nations' position that respecting and guaranteeing the rights of minorities in Iraq is "absolutely fundamental to a stable and democratic future for the country".

Staffan de Mistura is expected to brief the Security Council on Iraq in an open meeting on Friday.

This is Donn Bobb reporting for United Nations Radio.

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