LOC10:11
07:11 GMT
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
UNITED NATIONS, March 22 (KUNA) -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the
Security Council are following with "deep concern" Wednesday's developments in
Mali, as press reports indicated that a coup d'etat is imminent after troops
occupied the Presidential palace in protest against the government's handling
of a rebellion in the north.
"He calls for calm and for grievances to be resolved peacefully and within
the democratic process. The Secretary-General reaffirms United Nations support
for the constitutional order in Mali," his press office said in a statement.
Council President Mark Lyall Grant of the UK also told reporters after a
closed-door meeting that the members expressed "concern about the reports of
military disturbance in Mali."
"They appealed for calm from all stakeholders and for respect for the
constitutional order," he said, adding that some members asked for a briefing
from the UN Department of Political Affairs (DPA) on the situation on Mali.
The briefing is now scheduled for later today. (end)
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