UN Diplomat Giandomenico Picco, who Helped End Iran-Iraq War, Dies

Giandomenico Picco, a former United Nations diplomat who played a crucial role in resolving the Iran-Iraq war, has died. 

Picco's son, Giacomo Picco, announced that he peacefully passed away on Sunday after a lengthy illness at the age of 75.

Picco served at the United Nations from 1973 to 1992. 

Javier Pérez de Cuéllar, the fifth UN Secretary-General, appointed him to his executive office in 1982, where Picco later became assistant secretary-general for political affairs.

In 1986, Picco took on the role of chief UN negotiator for a truce in the Iraq-Iran war. The conflict, sparked by Saddam Hussein's invasion of Iran in 1980, resulted in over a million deaths. 

He also helped facilitate the 1989 withdrawal of Soviet forces after the 1979 invasion of Afghanistan.

Picco's knowledge of and connections in Iran enabled him to negotiate the release of hostages taken by groups linked to the country.