By NNN-KUNA,
United Nations : Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has told Iraqi President Jalal Talabani in a meeting here that he expects the situation in Iraq to improve following the noted progress in the cooperation with neighbouring states, his press office said in a statement.
Ban told the Iraqi president that “he recognised that progress had been made in Iraq and in regional cooperation between Iraq and its neighbours. He also expressed the hope that the situation in Iraq will continue to improve, as the international community expects,” according to the statement Monday.
It added that Ban expressed concern, however, over the delay in the adoption of the provincial elections law, the relatively slow pace of the integration of members of the Awakening (Sahwa) Councils and the tension in disputed areas, especially Kirkuk and Khanaqin.
He noted that the UN has been implementing its mandate under Security Council Resolution 1830 “faithfully” and has expanded its presence in Iraq, assisting the Government of Iraq in several important areas, including humanitarian assistance to displaced Iraqis.
Talabani and scores of heads of state and government have arrived in New York to participate in the General Assembly’s 63rd session. He is scheduled to address the Assembly next Thursday.