United Nations Radio

The UN's representative in Iraq has condemned in the strongest terms the assassinations of 3 candidates in Iraq's provincial elections.

Staffan de Mistura

The three Sunni candidates running for provincial council seats were killed on Thursday in different parts of the country. Staffan de Mistura called the killings "a terrible crime designed to attempt to disrupt the democratic process on the eve of the elections." But he told UN Radio that such attempts are sure to fail.

"We have 14,697 candidates. Unfortunately, and very sadly, five of them have been so far killed and this is terrible. But Iraq-and the Iraqis-will go on."

Mr. de Mistura pointed out that the Sunnis are expected to vote actively in Saturday's poll, which is a new development in Iraq's democratic process. Four years ago they boycotted the country's legislative election.

Reporting for UN Radio, I'm Bissera Kostova.

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