Council member reiterate support for regional initiative

Members of the UN Security Council on Friday reiterated their support for the decisions adopted on 23 July by the summit of regional initiative on Burundi and for the efforts of the Arusha facilitator, Nelson Mandela, and South African deputy president Jacob Zuma, a statement to the press by the president of the Council said. They took note of the positive relationships which have developed between the political parties and encouraged them to continue to work together to install the transitional government on 1 November. They called on the government and the parties to ensure that the conditions necessary, including security protection, are put in place as soon as possible in order to facilitate the return of exiled political leaders. Members urged rebels of the Forces nationales pour la liberation (FNL) and the those of the Force pour la defense de la democratie (FDD) to enter into negotiations for a cessation of hostilities without further delay. “Members of the Council remained deeply concerned at the humanitarian situation in Burundi and urged all parties to respect human rights and international humanitarian law as well as to facilitate access by humanitarian personnel to populations in need,” the statement said. They called on the countries of the region to use their collective and individual influence to help the parties advance positively in the peace process.