the ephemeral Ban Ki-moon... of whom it can be said to his credit that he is not Kofi Annan...
appealed Tuesday for dialogue and greater efforts at "national reconciliation" in Iraq after a wave of deadly attacks.
Ban "underscores the pressing need for dialogue between political blocs in order to overcome the current crisis," his front man Martin Nesirky said.
He said the U.N. chief was concerned about "the escalating political tensions and the appalling upsurge of violence that has killed a high number of civilians over the last two months."
"He urges all parties to redouble their efforts to ensure that the momentum of national reconciliation is not lost to those groups that strive to reignite sectarian violence in Iraq," Nesirky added.