The United Nations secretary-general has arrived in Iraq amid a growing humanitarian crisis due to months-long fighting against the Islamic State group in Mosul.
The UN Assistance Mission to Iraq says Antonio Guterres landed in Baghdad on Thursday to focus on the dire humanitarian situation.
Amid reports of dozens civilians killed by air strikes in Mosul, the statement said "protection of civilians must be the absolute priority".
UNAMI spokesman Samir Ghattas says Gutterres will meet Iraq's president, prime minster and speaker of parliament before heading north to visit refugee camps.
Since the start of Mosul military operation in October, more than 350,000 people have fled the fighting, according to UN figures.
