UN Chief urges Security Council to make fair judgment on Kosovo issue

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Source: CCTV.com | 06-12-2007 08:38

With ongoing disputes over the future of Kosovo, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has spoken on the issue of the region's independence as well as commenting on the current tension in the Middle East.

Ethnic Albanian leaders in Kosovo have announced that a competition will soon be launched to create a new flag and national anthem for the province.

The announcement comes despite a continuing international disagreement over whether the region should be given supervised independence or remain within Serbia.

A UN proposal recommends Kosovo be given internationally supervised independence.

Ban Ki-moon said, "This is, I think ongoing consultation among the member states of the Security Council. I hope at this time we should not waste too much in making decision. This is absolutely necessary that the United Nations, particularly the Security Council, should take fair and sound judgment on this and by adapting this, by endorsing this recommendation by my special envoy, Mr. Ahtisaari."

The UN Chief also addressed the issue of reported arms smuggling from Syria into Lebanon.

Ban Ki-moon said, "There are such allegations that armed struggles are being carried out through frontiers bordering Syria and Lebanon and both countries should strengthen, first of all their capacity to monitor the security along the borderlines and United Nations is ready to assist such kind of project if they ask. Our technical assistance team is there, is part of that."

When asked what role the UN will play in the future of Iraq, the Secretary General said the United Nations already has a presence in the region and is heavily involved in the rebuilding of the country.

Editor:Du Xiaodan