UN chief urges de-escalation of Bangladesh situation

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon today urged Bangladesh to find a tangible way for de-escalating the ongoing political situation.

The advice came after the UN chief met Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali and discussed cooperation between the UN and the Government of Bangladesh, a UN press release said.

Ban encouraged the government to seek concrete ways to de-escalate the situation and to engage constructively the opposition, for the long-term stability and development of the country.

He expressed his concern regarding the loss of lives and political violence that have occurred in Bangladesh since the beginning of 2015.

The UN chief also thanked Bangladesh for its contributions to the work of the UN, in particular to peacekeeping operations.