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21:12 GMT
NEW YORK, Nov 17 (KUNA) -- UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called on Security Council members Friday to unite against security challenges facing the Mediterranean.
Guterres urges the UNSC to confront illicit trade in drugs, weapons and oil products, as well as influx of refugees, piracy and human rights violations, all in the Mediterranean region, his spokesman Stephane Dujarric told a daily press briefing.
He said at least 2,800 immigrants lost their lives in the Mediterranean this year, while many others died while crossing the desert.
Guterres, said Dujarric, wanted to see further international cooperation to confront traffickers.
Asked about the Rohingya, Dujarric said the emergency response plan to help the Muslim minority refugees received around USD 140 million.
Around 620,000 Rohingya Muslims fled from Myanmar to neighboring Bangladesh since August 25 looking for safe haven. (end)
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