Ban Ki-moon welcomes Sri Lankan President's announcement of safe passage for civilians

United Nations, New York, 30 January 2009: Daily Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General. The Secretary-General welcomes President Mahinda Rajapaksas announcement of safe passage for all civilians trapped in the area of intense fighting in the North to a secure environment. However, he continues to be concerned by the threat to the estimated 250,000 civilians caught in the area, who are in close proximity to the fighting. He urges the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to do all in their power to make this safe passage a reality, and to ensure the protection of civilians in accordance with international humanitarian law.

View the entire briefing (Real Media, 1 hour and 6 minutes):

http://webcast.un.org/ramgen/ondemand/pressbriefing/2009/brief090130.rm

Press Release:

http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2009/sgsm12078.doc.htm

Category:

News & Politics

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• United Nations
• UN
• Sri Lanka
• protection of civilians
• Ban Ki-moon