AlQa'dah 6, 1435, Sep 1, 2014, SPA -- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voiced concern Sunday about the reported military takeover in the southern African nation of Lesotho, and called on all parties to resolve their differences peacefully. "He (Ban) calls for respect for the constitutional order and democratic rule," the secretary-general's office said in a statement. "He urges all parties to refrain from violence and work together towards a peaceful and lasting resolution of their differences." The small nation is surrounded on all sides by South Africa, where Prime Minister Thomas Thabane has reportedly fled after alleging that the army carried out a coup. According to reports, the army has denied that it staged a coup. Ban welcomed earlier efforts by the South African Development Community (SADC), the Commonwealth, and other partners of Lesotho to support the restoration of trust among the members of the coalition government and urged all parties to continue to play an active role in the promotion of peace in Lesotho. "He reaffirms the continued support of the United Nations to these efforts," the statement said.
