Douglas Alexander MP, Labour’s Shadow Foreign Secretary, commenting on the violence in Iraq, said:

“The situation in northern Iraq remains extremely serious, and the violence has already forced hundreds of thousands of innocent people to flee their homes.

“The United Nations Security Council was right to condemn these attacks and to call for international solidarity with Iraq’s leaders as they confront this serious security challenge.

“The UK’s decision to increase its support for the immediate Iraqi humanitarian response is important, and the international community must continue to monitor the situation closely.

“Iraq has the ongoing support of the international community in its efforts to combat terrorism, but the authorities there must now do all they can to protect civilians from further attacks.

“Iraq’s leaders must now come together quickly to form a new government and act to address the violence and instability which risks spreading further unless appropriate action is now taken by the Iraqi authorities.”

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