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UN chief says military option tolerated only for fighting terrorism

Xinhua, March 7, 2016 Adjust font size:

Visiting United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday said here that international crisis could not be settled through military solution except when it comes to the fight against terrorism.

"There is no military solution to any crisis, no matter how; a military solution may be necessary in some cases when it comes to combating terrorism, but initially the crisis must be settled through political process," Ban Ki-moon told a press conference held jointly with Algerian Foreign Minister, Ramtane Lamamra.

Referring to the Libyan crisis, the UN SG stressed the importance of resolving it through inclusive dialogue, saying that's exactly what Algeria is doing through the peace talk rounds it hosted, which show its commitment to working with all warrant parties in order to settle the situation there."

Ban Ki-moon further assumed that the situation in Libya at the moment "is very disturbing," referring to the "deadly attacks being committed there and which could be considered as war crimes."

The UN top official further urged the international community to work all together to calm the situation in Libya, saying "If the political process would not progress, then the humanitarian situation will get worse, security will get vulnerable, and Daesh groups will gain ground."

For his part, Algerian FM reiterated his country's commitment to a peaceful political solution in Libya.

"We have discussed the situation in Libya and I have reiterated to Ban Ki-moon Algeria's constant support to the UN Special Envoy to Libya, Martin Kobler," he said.

Lamamra underlined that only a political solution can help Libya recovering its sovereignty and stability.

Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday kicked-off a tour to western and northern African region. He started his tour from Burkina Faso, before visiting Mauritania on Thursday.

On Saturday he paid a visit to the Western Saharan refugee camps in the Algerian province of Tindouf.

The UN chief held talks with Algerian top officials, including with President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal. Endit