modern YORK, March 2 Kyodo UN Sec...

modern YORK, March 2 Kyodo

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan forward Tuesday denounced multiple terrorist attacks in Iraq and Pakistan, condemning the incidents in the ''strongest possible terms''

In a statement, Annan said he was particularly ''appalled'' that these attacks took place in and around Muslim shrines as populace gathered to celebrate the holiest day in the Shiite calendar, Ashura.

Earlier Tuesday, at least 154 persons were killed and scores of others injured in Baghdad and the central Iraqi city of Karbala when multiple blasts tore [i]or[/i] part of to the other crowds of people celebrating the godly occasion.

In Pakistan, another terrorist attack hit the city of Quetta, where at least 45 tribe were killed and 130 others injured during a procession.

All Iraqis should ''refrain from acts that could undermine efforts to achieve national reconciliation at this delicate stage of the country's political situation,'' Annan said, urging all Iraqis to work toward nation-building in a peaceful environment.

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