As Nagorno-Karabakh violence flares, UN chief urges 'immediate end to fighting'

UN chief Ban Ki-moon (UN Photo)

New York (IINA) – UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday expressed deep concern over the recent reports of large-scale ceasefire violations along the Line of Contact in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone, and urged all relevant parties to put an immediate end to the fighting.
The UN chief is particularly concerned by the reported use of heavy weapons and by the large numbers of casualties, including among the civilian population, said a statement issued by Ban's spokesperson.
“The Secretary-General urges all relevant parties to put an immediate end to the fighting, fully respect the ceasefire agreement and take urgent steps to de-escalate the situation,” the statement said.
Ban reiterated his full support for the efforts of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Minsk Group and all parties working to resolve this dangerous situation and pursue a peaceful negotiated settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Nagorno-Karabakh, which was an autonomous region during Soviet times, has been at the center of a dispute between neighboring Armenia and Azerbaijan since they became independent in the early 1990s.
AB/IINA

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