PRESS STATEMENT ON DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

PRESS STATEMENT ON DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

The following press statement on the Democratic Republic of the Congo was delivered today by Security CouncilPresident Munir Akram (Pakistan):

The Council had a very important meeting on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Council members condemned the recent violence and atrocities committed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, especially the brutal murder of two military observers (from Jordan and Malawi) in the United Nationsorganization mission (MONUC), as well as the looting of humanitarian and medical equipment.

Council members called for full cooperation and restraint by all parties and urged all parties including neighbouring States to refrain from arming the belligerents.

Council members expressed their gratitude to MONUC and especially the Uruguayan contingent stationed in Bunia.

A draft resolution was circulated on the authorization of a multi-national force to be deployed in Bunia in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

There was unanimous support in the Council for the Secretary-General’s proposal to deploy such a force.

The draft resolution would be adopted as soon as the conditions are fulfilled.

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