PRESS STATEMENT ON DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

PRESS STATEMENT ON DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

Following is today’s statement to the press on the Democratic Republic of the Congo by Security Council President Munir Akram (Pakistan):

The Security Council was briefed by Under-Secretary-General Jean-Marie Guehenno on the deteriorating situation in Bunia in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The Council members strongly condemned attacks against the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) headquarters in Bunia.

Council members expressed concern over the situation and called upon all the parties to immediately cease aggression and acts of violence, especially against the civilian population and MONUC.

Members of the Council also called on the parties to respect resolutions of the Security Council and the agreements already signed.  Council members reiterated that the political process, especially the work of the Ituri Pacification Commission, should continue.

Members of the Council highly commended the performance by MONUC personnel, in particular the Uruguayan contingent.

The Security Council will continue to closely monitor the situation and will meet again on Monday to discuss the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and to decide on effective measures to stop the violence.

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