UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon warned today the United Nations mission in the Chad-Central African Republic region would take measures to protect civilians threatened by armed groups' violence, according to dpa. Ban said he was concerned by the fighting in eastern Chad and appealed to all warring parties to respect relief operations of the United Nations and non-governmental organizations. He asked those parties not to deploy troops in areas where the UN mission, known as MINURCAT, is providing protection to humanitarian operations. "Any attempt at destabilization through violent means is unacceptable and reaffirms that MINURCAT will act within its mandate and capabilities to protect civilians threatened by armed elements," Ban said. He urged governments in the region to prevent use of their territories by or to assist the armed groups fighting in eastern Chad. He called on Sudan and Chad to resolve their differences by diplomatic means.
