Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu has strongly condemned the suicide bomb attacks which took place in Iraq last Monday. In a press statement issued here yesterday, the Secretary General expressed grave concern that the recent wave of acts of violence of sectarian and ethnic character might exacerbate the already volatile security situation in Iraq and deepen the cycle of violence. Ihsanoglu lashed out against whoever stands behind these deplorable and senseless crimes which are against all the sacred values and teachings of Islam. At the same time, he called upon the Iraqi people to demonstrate restraint, rise above shallow political, ethnic and sectarian pursuits, keep away from provocative acts which might harm the unity and togetherness of the Iraqi nation and unite to build a common future for their beloved country.