SECRETARY-GENERAL DEEPLY REGRETS LOSS OF LIFE FOLLOWING DEMONSTRATIONS IN HAITI, STRONGLY DEPLORES ATTACKS AGAINST UNITED NATIONS MISSION

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

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expresses concern at the violence resulting from the recent demonstrations in Haiti and deeply regrets the consequent loss of life.  The Secretary-General strongly deplores the attacks against the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) personnel and facilities, as well as against the Government of Haiti and private property.

The Secretary-General appeals for calm and urges all demonstrators to refrain from any further acts of violence.

The Secretary-General expresses his sympathy for the suffering that the Haitian people are enduring as a result of rising food and fuel prices.

The Secretary-General emphasizes that MINUSTAH and the United Nations system in Haiti will continue to support the Haitian authorities to bring emergency relief assistance to the Haitian people and to maintain public order.  He encourages international donors to provide urgent assistance to Haiti to address this situation.

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