UN chief highlights Algeria's 'great progress' while raising alarm on Libya situation

UN chief Ban Ki-moon (Google image)

Algiers (IINA) – UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who was on his second visit to Algeria, said Sunday that great progress has been made in the country since terrorist attacks in 2007 devastated UN Headquarters in the capital Algiers, while underlining “alarming” developments in Libya that could amount to war crimes.
“My first visit to Algeria was very painful,” Ban told reporters here at a joint press conference with Minister of State and Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ramtane Lamamra.
In December 2007, a car bomb destroyed UN offices in Algiers, killing 17 UN personnel as well as many Algerian citizens. More than nine years later, the UN chief praised President Abdelaziz Bouteflika for progress made under his direction.
“Instead of letting themselves be divided by terrorists, Algeria united in solidarity,” he said, adding that "violent strategy against terrorism that isn't based on the respect for human rights is doomed to fail."
Ban also noted that he and Minister Lamamra discussed their “deep concern” regarding the situation in Libya.
“There is alarming information coming from Libya about grave acts that could amount to war crimes,” the UN chief warned.
“All external actors need to use their influence to appease the situation. If things don't improve on the political front, the humanitarian crisis will worsen and threats to people's security, including attacks by Daesh, will multiply and expand,” he added.
The Secretary General thanked Algeria for hosting the UN-brokered talks on Libya. He also welcomed the country's engagement towards Mali, for its role as one of the main mediators of the peace process.
After meeting with President Bouteflika, Ban said he was encouraged by the adoption of a revised constitution on February 7, and insisted on the importance of investing in Algeria's “dynamic and determined” youth.
AB/IINA

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