United Nations, Ramadan 3, 1435, Jul 1, 2014, SPA -- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Tuesday expressed “deep gratitude” to Saudi Arabia for providing $500 million to the world body for humanitarian assistance to Iraq. “The Secretary-General acknowledges the leadership and initiative of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud,” Ban’s office said in a statement. “The Secretary-General welcomes the timely funding, which will enable the United Nations and its partners to support the millions of Iraqi men, women and children whose lives have been torn apart by the conflict,” the statement said. --SPA 00:44 LOCAL TIME 21:44 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w