1st LD: UN chief urges efforts to refrain from targeting civilians in South Sudan

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon on Wednesday urged both government and opposition leaders in South Sudan to make it clear to the public that "the targeting of civilians will not be tolerated" and he wanted all warring parties in the world's youngest country to "know that those responsible for serious human rights violations will be held accountable for their actions."

"Political leaders on both sides must make unequivocal public statements that the targeting of civilians will not be tolerated," Ban said in a statement issued by his spokesman here. "All parties to the conflict must know that those responsible for serious human rights violations will be held accountable for their actions."

The statement came on the eve of the fourth anniversary of the independence of South Sudan, which was officially declared independent on July 9, 2011, following a referendum in which around 99 percent of the southerners voted for its secession from Sudan.

"The violence that has ravaged South Sudan over the past 18 months proves that there can never be a military solution to this conflict," the statement said. "I therefore call on all leaders of South Sudan -- particularly President Kiir and former Vice- President Riek Machar -- to prove their leadership by investing in a political solution and immediately concluding a comprehensive peace agreement." Enditem