UN chief: Avoid escalation in Syria

NEW YORK UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon expressed his "grave concern" over Israeli air-strikes in Syria and called on all parties to exercise restraint. The secretary-general is "very concerned about the information regarding the air attack by the Israeli army carried out in Syria," said Ban's spokesman Martin Nesirki. UN chief: Avoid escalation in Syria He added, however, that the United Nations currently has "no details" about the incident and has not been able to determine from independent sources what happened. According to the statement, the UN chief calls on all sides to exercise maximum calm and restraint and to act responsibly in order to avoid an escalation of the conflict that is already devastating and very dangerous. Ban also urged "respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries in the region and the implementation of all relevant UN Security Council resolutions." It was also said that Ban met with Arab League Secretary General Nabil el-Araby. The two discussed the risks to regional security, said Ban's spokesman. Israel on Sunday carried out an air strike near Damascus, the second such attack in the Syrian territory in 48 hours. The aim of the attack was "to prevent the transfer of weapons to radical Lebanese group Hezbollah," said unnamed Israeli officials. (Beta/AP, file) Beta

UN chief: Avoid escalation in Syria

He added, however, that the United Nations currently has "no details" about the incident and has not been able to determine from independent sources what happened.

According to the statement, the UN chief calls on all sides to exercise maximum calm and restraint and to act responsibly in order to avoid an escalation of the conflict that is already devastating and very dangerous.

Ban also urged "respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries in the region and the implementation of all relevant UN Security Council resolutions."

It was also said that Ban met with Arab League Secretary General Nabil el-Araby. The two discussed the risks to regional security, said Ban's spokesman.

Israel on Sunday carried out an air strike near Damascus, the second such attack in the Syrian territory in 48 hours. The aim of the attack was "to prevent the transfer of weapons to radical Lebanese group Hezbollah," said unnamed Israeli officials.