SECRETARY-GENERAL DEPLORES AMBUSH OF UN PEACEKEEPERS IN DARFUR

SECRETARY-GENERAL DEPLORES AMBUSH OF UN PEACEKEEPERS IN DARFUR New York, May 23 2008 7:00PM Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today strongly condemned this week's ambush of four United Nations peacekeepers in West Darfur by a group of 60 armed men.

The attack happened yesterday on the outskirts of El Geneina, the state capital, when 60 men armed with machine guns, rifles and rocket-propelled grenades ambushed the four Nigerian peacekeepers serving with the hybrid United Nations-African Union peacekeeping mission in Darfur (<"http://www.un.org/depts/dpko/missions/unamid/">UNAMID). The assailants stole rifles ammunition, telephones and cash.

"The Secretary-General strongly condemns the attack and urges once again all parties to cease military action and commit themselves to negotiations and a peaceful solution," Mr. Ban said in a <"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=3178">statement by a spokesperson.

Mr. Ban also said that he was "deeply saddened by the tragic deaths in a traffic accident on 21 May of 45 Nigerian peacekeepers who had served with UNAMID."

The peacekeepers had just returned to Nigeria after a tour of duty in Darfur.

Mr. Ban sent his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and to the Government of Nigeria and commended the "outstanding contribution of the Government of Nigeria to peace efforts on the African continent and beyond."
2008-05-23 00:00:00.000

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