Iraqi Christians' murders condemned

Muslim scholars have spoken out against a spate of attacks against Christians in northern Iraq, after more than 12 members of the community were killed in recent weeks.

The condemnation from the Organistation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) came on Tuesday, as Iraq's government pledged to send officials to the ethnically mixed city of Mosul to investigate the attacks.

Over a thousand Christians are said to have fled their homes in Mosul in recent days.

Ekmeleddin Ihasanoglul, who heads the OIC, said the violence in Mosul was "unprecedented in the history of Iraq" and called upon the Iraqi authorities to "prosecute the culprits who are behind these acts".

Ali al-Dabbagh, a government spokesman, said a cabinet-level delegation would soon be sent to Mosul.

"The cabinet stressed the need to move quickly to support the security effort with intensive military operations to restore security and order in Mosul and to reassure citizens," he said in a statement.