UNHCR to post international staff in Baghdad

NEW YORK: The United Nations refugee agency has decided to post international staff in Baghdad to meet up the urgent needs of some two million Iraqis who have fled their homes in the face of increasing violence.

The international staff was withdrawn from the country after the 2003 bombing of its headquarters in Baghdad which killed 22 people, including its top envoy Sergio Vieira de Mello.

Since then, most of these staff is operating from Amman, Jordan, but UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Guterres, said this is not the best possible way to work.

Currently, only Iraqi nationals staff the UNHCR office in Baghdad, curtailing operations.

"It is especially important to establish an international presence in Baghdad for negotiations with the government," Guterres said.

International staff in the city will at first be limited to one person, but will be increased as security conditions and other considerations allow, he added.

Guterres also briefed reporters on the results of a conference held in Geneva last month that was organized by the agency to focus on the plight of internally displaced Iraqis as well as the estimated two million refugees who have sought haven in neighbouring countries.

He stressed the importance of cooperation between the Government of Iraq and the major host countries sheltering the refugees, Syria and Jordan.

He urged the international community to continue supporting refugee assistance efforts.