UN chief appeals to Burundi to further postpone elections

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon on Friday appealed to Burundian authorities to postpone the elections further in order to create a conducive environment for inclusive, peaceful and transparent elections.

The Secretary-General, who was "deeply concerned over the prevailing political and security environment in Burundi," reiterated his appeal to all Burundian political leaders to address the current political crisis through dialogue, according to a statement released by Ban's spokesperson.

The UN Security Council also scheduled an emergency meeting on Burundi for 1900 GMT Friday.

Reports said Burundian opposition parties would boycott Burundi 's elections in a protest against President Pierre Nkurunziza's bid for a third term, which exceeds the constitutional limit of two terms.

On Thursday, two separate grenade explosions happened in the city center of the Burundian capital Bujumbura, killing at least seven people.

The blasts came two days after the Burundian ruling party said that it will not participate in the political dialogue "because this would distract and disorient the electoral process," according to its Chairman Pascal Nyabenda.

The statement was made as the dialogue resumed Tuesday under the leadership of Abdoulaye Bathily, UN Secretary-General's special envoy and new facilitator in Burundi's crisis in replacement of Said Djinnit who resigned last week.

Earlier this month, Burundian government postponed presidential elections from June 26 to July 15 under the pressure from home and abroad. The country is scheduled to hold parliamentary election on Monday. Endite