Athletes from Iraq parade at the National Stadium during the opening ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games in the Chinese capital on September 6, 2008. China once again dazzled the world with a glittering ceremony as the Paralympics opened in the iconic "Bird's Nest" National Stadium with the message that all life has value and dignity.
Athletes from Iraq parade at the National Stadium during the opening ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games in the Chinese capital on September 6, 2008. China once again dazzled the world with a glittering ceremony as the Paralympics opened in the iconic "Bird's Nest" National Stadium with the message that all life has value and dignity.
Athletes from Iraq parade at the National Stadium during the opening ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games in the Chinese capital on September 6, 2008. China once again dazzled the world with a glittering ceremony as the Paralympics opened in the iconic "Bird's Nest" National Stadium with the message that all life has value and dignity.
Staffan de Mistura, United Nations representative in Iraq, waves to reporters after meeting Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in the holy city of Najaf, 160 km (100 miles) south of Baghdad, September 6, 2008. De Mistura held a rare meeting with the country's most senior Shi'ite Muslim cleric on Saturday and warned that delays to provincial polls may undermine local authorities.
Staffan de Mistura, United Nations representative in Iraq, talks to reporters after meeting Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in the holy city of Najaf, 160 km (100 miles) south of Baghdad, September 6, 2008. De Mistura held a rare meeting with the country's most senior Shi'ite Muslim cleric on Saturday and warned that delays to provincial polls may undermine local authorities.
Staffan de Mistura (2nd L), United Nations representative in Iraq, is surrounded by bodyguards after a meeting with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in the holy city of Najaf, 160 km (100 miles) south of Baghdad, September 6, 2008. De Mistura held a rare meeting with the country's most senior Shi'ite Muslim cleric on Saturday and warned that delays to provincial polls may undermine local authorities.
Staffan de Mistura, United Nations representative in Iraq, talks to reporters after meeting Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in the holy city of Najaf, 160 km (100 miles) south of Baghdad, September 6, 2008. De Mistura held a rare meeting with the country's most senior Shi'ite Muslim cleric on Saturday and warned that delays to provincial polls may undermine local authorities.
The Iraq delegation parades during the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games opening ceremony at the National Stadium, better known as the "Bird's Nest", in Beijing on September 6, 2008. More than 4,000 athletes were at the opening of what promises to be a dazzling Paralympics, with the head of the international movement predicting a "fantastic" Games.
The UN envoy to Iraq Staffan de Mistura speaks to the press after meeting Iraq's most respected Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, in the holy city of Najaf, 160 kms (100 miles) south of Baghdad on September 6, 2008. Mistura urgued politicians today to get moving on a key provincial election law that remains bogged down in controversy over the administration of the oil-rich province of Kirkuk.
The UN envoy to Iraq Staffan de Mistura speaks to the press after meeting Iraq's most respected Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, in the holy city of Najaf, 160 kms (100 miles) south of Baghdad on September 6, 2008. Mistura urgued politicians today to get moving on a key provincial election law that remains bogged down in controversy over the administration of the oil-rich province of Kirkuk.