UN envoy survives Iraqi roadside blast

Baku, October 20 (AZERTAC). A convoy carrying the UN`s top envoy to Iraq has been hit by a roadside bomb, officials say, according to BBC News.

Ad Melkert was unhurt, the UN said, but unconfirmed reports said a policeman died and three others were injured.

Iraqi police said the bomb hit the second-to-last vehicle in the convoy as it left the city of Najaf, 160km south of Baghdad.

Mr Melkert had been in Najaf to meet Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, Iraq`s most revered Shia cleric, the UN said.

Mr Melkert, a Dutch politician, was appointed special representative for Iraq by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in 2009.

“The special representative was in the convoy. He is unhurt. He is fine,” a UN spokeswoman said.

“We cannot speculate on what was the motive.”

The convoy, made up of UN and police vehicles, had been on his way to the airport. The UN said Mr Melkert later returned safely to Baghdad.

The BBC`s Jim Muir in Baghdad says it is not clear if the attack targeted Mr Melkert or a police chief who was also in the convoy.

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