Ban urges restraint as post-electoral violence breaks out in Mongolian capital
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.