Security Council condemns attempted coup d'état in Central African Republic

Members of the United Nations Security Council today condemned the attempted coup d'état in the Central African Republic, and urged the perpetrators to return to the constitutional order.

The call came in a statement to the press by the Council's President for the month of May, United States Ambassador James Cunningham, following a briefing on the situation in the Central African Republic and the recent unrest there.

"Council members deplored the loss of life in the fighting that is taking place and strongly condemned the attempted coup d'etat in Bangui," Ambassador Cunningham said. "They urged the perpetrators to give up their endeavour that will lead nowhere."

Members of the Council also expressed the hope that respect for human rights and the spirit of dialogue and reconciliation will be preferred by all in accordance with the achievements of the 1998 National Reconciliation Pact, the Council President said.

The Council members invited neighbouring countries, "African countries that are friends," and the international community as a whole to use all of their influence so that the path of peace can prevail," Ambassador Cunningham said, adding that the Council committed itself to keeping the matter under observation.