Secretary-General increasingly concerned by developments in eastern chad,

Appeals for humanitarian character of un operation to be respected

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

The Secretary-General is following developments in eastern Chad with increasing concern.  The Secretary-General appeals to all parties to respect the humanitarian character of the operations of the United Nations and non-governmental organizations in eastern Chad, and to refrain from deploying forces in areas where humanitarian operations are under the protection of MINURCAT (United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad) forces.

The Secretary-General stresses that any attempt at destabilization through violent means is unacceptable and reaffirms that MINURCAT will act within its mandate and capabilities to protect civilians threatened by armed elements.

The Secretary-General calls on all States in the region to prevent their territories and nationals from being used to aid armed groups.  He urges the Governments of Chad and the Sudan to bridge their differences using diplomatic and other peaceful means available to them and to redouble their efforts to implement the Doha agreement.

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For information media • not an official record