Ban emphasizes sustainable peace, stability in Mideast, North Africa

Tehran, April 5, IRNA - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, during a telephone conversation with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Sunday, underlined the need for peaceful dialogue on genuine political, economic and social reform as the only way towards sustainable peace and stability.

According to a press release issued by the UN Information Center (UNIC) here on Tuesday, the two officials discussed the situation in North Africa and the Middle East, particularly including Libya, Bahrain and Yemen.

Regarding the situation in Bahrain and Yemen, the secretary-general expressed concern about the continued instability. He underscored his calls for maximum restraint and the importance of protecting civilians and of upholding human rights.

On Libya, the secretary-general reiterated his call for an immediate ceasefire and for unrestricted humanitarian access to all areas of the country. He explained the work of his Special Envoy Abdul Ilah Al-Khatib in Libya, in close coordination with the international community, including the League of Arab States and the African Union./end