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Iraq and UN sign Iranian 'Camp Ashraf' exile deal | Iraq and UN sign Iranian 'Camp Ashraf' exile deal |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Iraq and the United Nations have agreed to re-settle more than 3,000 Iranian exiles who have been based at a refugee camp near Baghdad since the 1980s. | |
The residents of Camp Ashraf were part of the People's Mujahideen Organisation of Iran, which fought alongside Iraqi soldiers during the Iran-Iraq war. | The residents of Camp Ashraf were part of the People's Mujahideen Organisation of Iran, which fought alongside Iraqi soldiers during the Iran-Iraq war. |
The deal has been welcomed by the US, which handed responsibility for the camp to Iraq in 2009. | The deal has been welcomed by the US, which handed responsibility for the camp to Iraq in 2009. |
Iraq's Shia-led government has repeatedly vowed to close Camp Ashraf. | Iraq's Shia-led government has repeatedly vowed to close Camp Ashraf. |
But under the terms of the deal signed with the UN late on Sunday, camp residents would be moved to a temporary location where their refugee status would then be determined by the UN. The UN says this is a necessary first step before exiles are finally re-settled outside Iraq. | But under the terms of the deal signed with the UN late on Sunday, camp residents would be moved to a temporary location where their refugee status would then be determined by the UN. The UN says this is a necessary first step before exiles are finally re-settled outside Iraq. |
"The UNHCR will immediately deploy a team at the new location to proceed with the verification and adjudication of the claims for refugee status it had received," the statement said. | "The UNHCR will immediately deploy a team at the new location to proceed with the verification and adjudication of the claims for refugee status it had received," the statement said. |
Rocket attack | Rocket attack |
The statement said that re-location would be voluntary. It is unclear when the process would begin and if the dissidents based at the camp would agree to move. | The statement said that re-location would be voluntary. It is unclear when the process would begin and if the dissidents based at the camp would agree to move. |
One camp representative quoted by the Associated Press news agency said that they were still waiting to see the agreement before commenting. | One camp representative quoted by the Associated Press news agency said that they were still waiting to see the agreement before commenting. |
"Ashraf residents have repeatedly emphasised that they would in no way accept forcible relocation," Shahin Gobadi is quoted as saying. | "Ashraf residents have repeatedly emphasised that they would in no way accept forcible relocation," Shahin Gobadi is quoted as saying. |
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton welcomed the deal saying it "represents significant progress on this issue". | US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton welcomed the deal saying it "represents significant progress on this issue". |
The PMOI, also known as Mojahedin-e Khalq, was welcomed in the 1980s by then-President Saddam Hussein, who was fighting a war against Iran. He funded and armed the group, which fought alongside Iraqi troops. | The PMOI, also known as Mojahedin-e Khalq, was welcomed in the 1980s by then-President Saddam Hussein, who was fighting a war against Iran. He funded and armed the group, which fought alongside Iraqi troops. |
But Iraq's new leaders have improved relations with neighbours Iran since the overthrow of Saddam Hussein and have sought to close down the camp. In April a raid on the camp by Iraq's army left at least 34 dead, according to the UN. | But Iraq's new leaders have improved relations with neighbours Iran since the overthrow of Saddam Hussein and have sought to close down the camp. In April a raid on the camp by Iraq's army left at least 34 dead, according to the UN. |
Iraqi officials said clashes were limited and the army entered the camp to confront stone-throwers, but camp residents called it a full-scale military assault. | Iraqi officials said clashes were limited and the army entered the camp to confront stone-throwers, but camp residents called it a full-scale military assault. |
On Monday, shortly after the deal was announced, Iraqi military sources said several rockets hit the camp. Residents at the camp accused groups loyal to Iran of launching the missiles. | On Monday, shortly after the deal was announced, Iraqi military sources said several rockets hit the camp. Residents at the camp accused groups loyal to Iran of launching the missiles. |
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