Attack was wake-up call, says Robinson

MARY ROBINSON, Mr de Mello’s predecessor at the UN, said she was “very shocked and devastated” by the attack.

The former Irish President said: “It is a huge blow but curiously I think it may bring home the need for a broader and more rounded UN mandate on the ground and more countries involved.

“It is extraordinarily important that Iraq does not descend into a situation of complete lack of security and a worse situation for the civilian population of Iraq.