LOC20:59
17:59 GMT
ROME, April 9 (KUNA) -- Visiting UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on
Tuesday expressed much concern over the current serious crisis of North Korea,
calling on Pyongyang to stop provocation.
Following talks with Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti, Ban said the
current level of tension over the crisis of North Korea was so serious that it
could lead to an uncontrollable situation.
He said he would discuss the North Korean crisis at talks with US President
Barack Obama on Thursday.
The UN chief urged neighboring countries to exert more pressure on the
government of North Korea to give up provocation.
For his part, the Italian prime minister said his country sees that
Pyongyang's threatened use of force is unacceptable, urging it to stop threats
and warning immediately.
Monti voiced Italy's concern over the continuing tragic political and
humanitarian situation in unrest-hit Syria.
During their meeting, Ban and Monti exchanged views on key international
issues, mainly Africa, Middle East and Korean peninsula, according to an
Italian prime ministerial release. (pickup previous)
mn.mt
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