PRESS STATEMENT ON CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

Following is today's press statement by Security Council President Jagdish Koonjul (Mauritius) concerning the Central African Republic:

Members of the Security Council expressed their deep concern over the increasing problems affecting the political and economic situation in the Central African Republic.

Members of the Security Council welcomed the positive steps taken by the Central African Republic authorities and called upon them to continue to facilitate the national dialogue and reconciliation.

Members of the Security Council requested the Secretary-General, through his Representative, and in cooperation with the Organization of African Unity (OAU), to harmonize the various initiatives taken at the regional level to restore calm and stability in the Central African Republic.

Members of the Security Council encouraged the international community and the development partners of the Central African Republic to continue to provide assistance to that country.

Members of the Security Council remain deeply concerned about the interdependence between the continuing crisis in the Central African Republic and the situation in neighbouring States, in particular, and the subregion, in general.

Members of the Security Council reaffirmed their support to General Lamine Cissé and the United Nations Peace-building Support Office in the Central African Republic (BONUCA).

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