UN chief voices concern over political tension in Mali

UNITED NATIONS, June 2 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday expressed concern over the violent clashes in Mali's capital city Bamako sparked by the holding of demonstrations by opposition parties, said his deputy spokesman.

Guterres called for calm and restraint by all parties, and urged political actors and the civil society to favor dialogue in order to maintain an environment conducive to the holding of credible and transparent elections, said Farhan Haq in a statement.

The secretary-general regretted the government-imposed ban on demonstrations by opposition parties. He said it is important to hold an inclusive political dialogue in Mali and called on the Malian government to ensure the protection of fundamental human rights and freedom of expression, said the statement.

The secretary-general was encouraged during his recent visit to Mali by the progress registered in the implementation of the Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation. He wished for this positive dynamic to continue with the holding of elections in a peaceful climate, it said.

The United Nations stands ready to support a peaceful resolution of the parties' grievances, the statement added.

More than a dozen people were injured Saturday when police clashed with opposition demonstrators at a banned political rally in Bamako, ahead of the July 29 presidential election in the African country. Enditem