The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement regarding the destruction of the historical site of Nimrud in Iraq earlier this week:

“I am shocked and appalled by the wilful actions of the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) that destroyed the historical site of Nimrud—a city founded more than 3,300 years ago that was once one of the capitals of the Assyrian empire.

“This week, the people of Iraq were once again the victims of cultural cleansing at the hands of this terrorist organization.

“Canada will continue to stand with its allies and the people of Iraq as we fight this and other forms of evil.”