LOC09:02
06:02 GMT
UNITED NATIONS, June 9 (KUNA) -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned in
the strongest possible terms the killing of seven UN peacekeepers from Niger
in an ambush in the southwest of C`te d'Ivoire by unidentified gunmen.
"I am saddened and outraged. These brave soldiers died in the service of
peace. I condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms," he told
reporters, late on Friday.
Expressing his deepest condolences to the people and Government of Niger
for this "tragedy", Ban called on the Government of C`te d'Ivoire to do its
utmost to identify the perpetrators and hold them accountable for this deadly
attack.
He said that despite the dangerous environment, more than 40 peacekeepers
remain with the villagers in that remote region to protect them from this
armed group.
His press office said Ban also remains "seriously concerned" about the
continued instability in the border areas between Cote d'Ivoire and Liberia
since the Ivorian post-elections crisis, which has resulted in the death of a
number of individuals in that region. (end)
sj.rk
KUNA 090902 Jun 12NNNN