Ban urges restraint as post-electoral violence breaks out in Mongolian capital
2 July 2008 - Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has deplored the deadly violence that has erupted in Mongolia following last weekend's
parliamentary elections, calling on all parties to engage in dialogue to resolve the current crisis.
Five people have reportedly been killed and over 300 injured as thousands of protesters took to the streets yesterday in
Ulan Bator, the country's capital and largest city, after it was announced that the ruling party won Sunday's polls.
President Nambar Enkhbayar has declared a state of emergency in the wake of the unrest.
"The Secretary-General deplores the resort to violence to protest the conduct of the parliamentary elections," his
spokesperson said in a statement issued today.
Mr. Ban urged all parties to exercise restraint and engage in dialogue, and appealed to all demonstrators to refrain
from any further violence.
"Mongolia has made a peaceful transition to democracy, and the Secretary-General encourages all parties to respect this
achievement and find ways to settle the current crisis, fully respecting the rule of law," the statement added.
ENDS