SECRETARY-GENERAL URGES END TO HOSTILITIES FOLLOWING REPORTS OF FIGHTING IN DARFUR

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

During the past few days, the United Nations has received troubling reports of aerial bombings near Kutum in North Darfur, as well as reports of fighting in the area of Tine, West Darfur and along the border with Chad.  The Secretary-General takes these reports very seriously and calls on all parties to refrain from hostilities, to respect the spirit of the ceasefire recently declared by the Government of Sudan and to cooperate with UNAMID [United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur] in investigating these reports.

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For information media • not an official record