De Mistura leaves Iraq for WFP

BAGHDAD, June 16 (UPI) -- Staffan de Mistura, the U.N. special envoy to Iraq, left Baghdad to take up a position as a deputy executive for the World Food Program.

De Mistura, who served as the special representative for Iraq since September 2007, expressed his appreciation for the support of the Iraqi leadership, saying he wished the country well.

"Leaving Iraq again, after my fourth extended mission here, I leave hopeful that Iraq is on the road of democracy and stability after so much suffering," he said.

During his tenure, Iraq concluded successful provincial elections in January and launched efforts to resolve issues between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the central government in Baghdad related to the so-called disputed territories, particularly the oil-rich city of Kirkuk.

The KRG and Baghdad are at odds over authority in several of the northern Iraqi provinces, with Kurdish ambitions focusing on reversing the policies of Saddam Hussein aimed at altering regional demographics in favor of Sunni Arabs.

De Mistura expressed hope the KRG and Baghdad could find a political solution to the ongoing disputes, adding his support for a united Iraq under a respected national constitution, the U.N. Assistance Mission in Iraq said in a statement.

He added that the U.N. mission for Iraq would continue to serve the Iraqi people as long as Baghdad finds its support helpful.

"But all this requires Iraqi ownership -- we are here to assist and facilitate," he said. "The future of Iraq and its sovereignty is in the hands of the people of Iraq."

Andrew Gilmour will serve as the interim head of UNAMI until a new special representative is appointed.