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UN Security Council slams attack against blue helmets in South Sudan

Xinhua, May 6, 2017 Adjust font size:

The UN Security Council on Friday "strongly condemned" the attack against the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS) two days ago in Leer, South Sudan.

"The members of the Security Council expressed appreciation for the actions taken by UNMISS peacekeepers to repel the attack," the 15-nation UN body said in a press statement.

"The members of the Security Council recalled that individuals who, directly or indirectly, engage in attacks against United Nations missions, international security presence, or other peacekeeping operations, or humanitarian personnel, may be designated for targeted sanctions," said the statement.

The council members further condemned the continued violence committed by all parties in South Sudan, including the ongoing military offensives, and called on all parties to immediately adhere to the permanent ceasefire as called for in the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan and to remove all obstacles to delivery of lifesaving humanitarian assistance, the statement added.

Between 11 pm and midnight on Wednesday, the UN Mission's Temporary Operating Base (TOB) in Leer town in the former Unity State came under small arms attack from the direction of the nearby government-held town.

The Ghanaian company of UNMISS peacekeeping forces based there quickly and robustly returned fire, deterring the attack.

Currently, there is no confirmation of which party to the conflict carried out the attack. UNMISS is continuing to investigate the incident and will examine whether the TOB needs to be further strengthened. Endit