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 KUNA 092059 Apr 13NNNN