PRESS STATEMENT BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT ON BURUNDI

PRESS STATEMENT BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT ON BURUNDI

Following is the text of today’s press statement on Burundi by the President of the Security Council, Wang Yingfan (China):

The members of the Council were briefed by the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Kieran Prendergast.

The members of the Council warmly welcomed the proposal by the Facilitator, Mr. Nelson Mandela, regarding the transitional period under the Arusha agreement.

The members of the Council called on all the parties to reach agreement on, and all States in the region to support this proposal that will represent a crucial step forward in the peace process.  They urged the signatories of the Arusha agreement and the Implementation Monitoring Committee to contribute positively to the functioning of the transitional institution.

The members of the Council again strongly urged the armed groups to suspend hostilities.  They also called on all States in the region to cease any military support to the armed groups and to use their influence on them according to the provisions of Security Council Resolution 1355 (paragraph 11).

The members of the Council stressed the need for economic and humanitarian assistance from the international community once the transitional government is formed, bearing in mind the security situation throughout the country.

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