But the coalition said the move should have been done long ago, before Kobler’s conduct damaged the UN’s credibility in the country.
Martin Kobler has faced mounting calls to quit in recent months for his collision with prime minister Nouri al-Maliki and the Iranian regime to suppress the Iranian dissident refugees in Camp Liberty. He will now become the UN’s new special representative in Congo.
Leading al-Iraqiya MP Dr Zafer al-Aani told Iraq’s al-Medi Press: “He was siding with the government, therefore he was not trusted by the opposition as a just mediator.
“The latest negative positions taken by Martin Kobler have been his unacceptable remarks regarding the protesters in western provinces in Iraq.
“Kobler’s remark justified the suppression of Iraqi protesters.
“The head of UNAMI tarnished the UN credibility in Iraq and he could not be trusted to be a just mediator between the government and its enemies.
“This has sped up the replacement of Martin Kobler, despite the fact that the decision was taken with much delay and after it had affected the UN credibility. The al-Iraqiya coalition demanded his replacement a long time ago.”