Concerned over Fighting in Colombia, Secretary-General Urges Parties to Persist in Search for Peace

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

The Secretary-General is concerned by the current upsurge in fighting in Colombia following a welcome period of de-escalation in the armed conflict.  He encourages the parties to the Havana talks and the Colombian people to remain hopeful and to persist in the search for peace.

The Secretary-General commends the parties for the important progress they have made thus far in negotiations, a process that has brought the country closer to peace.  He is confident they can overcome the current impasse and bring the process to a successful conclusion.  He further calls on the parties to resume the path towards de-escalation and accelerate the pace of the negotiations in order to restore momentum and public confidence in the process.  He firmly believes that peace is possible as long as Colombians can put this goal above all others and find ways to overcome their differences, both in Havana and in Colombia.

The Secretary-General reiterates the continued commitment of the United Nations to support all efforts towards durable peace in Colombia.