Iraq takes over UN building as mission winds down

BAGHDAD, May 28 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi government on Tuesday took over a building under the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq in the northern city of Mosul, a step in line with the mission's planned closure by the end of 2025.

The handover was in accordance with the agreement between the Iraqi government and the United Nations, Iraqi government spokesman Basim al-Awadi said in a statement.

According to the statement, the remaining mission buildings are also scheduled to be handed over to Iraqi authorities.

In May 2024, the UN Security Council unanimously decided to extend the mission's mandate for a final 19-month period to Dec. 31, 2025, after which the mission will cease all work and operations.

The UN political mission was established by the Security Council in 2003 at the request of the Iraqi government in the wake of the invasion by a U.S.-led coalition. Its main mandate is to provide advice, support, and assistance to the government and people of Iraq in various fields. Enditem