SECRETARY-GENERAL GRAVELY CONCERNED ABOUT CONTINUED FIGHTING IN SOMALI CAPITAL,

DEPLORES HEAVY WEAPONS USE AGAINST CIVILIANS

 

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General is gravely concerned about the continuing heavy fighting in Mogadishu, which has reportedly killed more than 250 people and forced more than 320,000 from their homes in the past six days alone.  He deplores the reported indiscriminate use of heavy weapons against civilian population centres, which is in disregard of international humanitarian law.

The Secretary-General calls on the parties to immediately cease all hostilities and to facilitate access for the delivery of urgently needed humanitarian assistance.  He reiterates that there is no military solution to the Somali conflict, and renews his call for an urgent resumption of political dialogue.

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For information media • not an official record