SECRETARY-GENERAL CONCERNED ABOUT RENEWED DEADLY CLASHES YESTERDAY IN MALI

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General is concerned about the renewed deadly clashes yesterday between Malian Government forces and Tuareg rebels in the north-eastern part of the country, which have resulted in many fatalities.  This latest incident underscores the urgent need to find an immediate and lasting solution to this recurrent conflict so that Mali can focus on its development priorities and consolidation of its democracy.  The Secretary-General looks forward to being briefed in further detail on the situation in Mali after the planned visit to Mali in coming days by his Special Representative for West Africa, Said Djinnit.

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