Readout of Secretary-General's telephone call with H.E. Mr. Idriss Déby, President of Chad

The Secretary-General spoke today with H.E. Mr. Idriss Déby, President of Chad. He expressed his heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of Chad and to the families of the five peacekeepers killed in a heinous attack in northern Mali yesterday. The Secretary-General underscored Chad’s key role in support of the Malian peace process and his particular gratitude to Chadian forces that are operating in particularly difficult circumstances. The Secretary-General and President Deby also discussed possible ways to improve the conditions and enhance the security of the Chadian peacekeepers.

The Secretary-General recalled the declaration of the armed groups in Algiers earlier this week condemning terrorist acts and committing to take measures to prevent and counter them. He stressed the need for these actors to translate their commitments into concrete operational action in the North of Mali.