Iraq – Death of the Chaldean Archbishop of Mosul – Communiqué issued by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs

Paris, 13 March 2008

We were deeply shocked to learn of the death of Mgr Faraj Rahho, Chaldean Archbishop of Mosul, who was kidnapped on 29 February this year.

France condemns this heinous act in the strongest possible terms.

She expresses her heartfelt condolences to Mgr Rahho’s family, to His Beatitude Emmanuel III Delly, Patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans, and her solidarity with all Iraq’s Christians, in this latest bereavement.

Faced with the violence which plunges this country into mourning every day, she reiterates that every community must be able to have its place in a democratic and peaceful Iraq guaranteeing everyone civil liberties and freedom of worship./.