UN’S BAN CALLS FOR GLOBAL OLYMPIC TRUCE

News York, 1 Rabi’ul Akhir 1435/1 Febuary 2014 (MINA) –The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for ceasefire in the ongoing conflicts around the world during the upcoming Sochi Winter Olympics in Russia.

In a statement released on the UN’s official website on Friday, Ban called on all combatants everywhere to respect the Olympic Truce that has been adopted “by all 193 United Nations Member States.”

“In calling for this year’s truce, my thoughts are with the people of Syria, the Central African Republic, South Sudan and all others suffering from senseless violence, Anadolu Agency quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting, Saturday (1/2).

including the families who have lost loved ones in the recent bombings that took place in Volgograd, not far from Sochi,” the statement said.

“The participants in the Sochi Games may carry the flags of many nations, but they come together under the shared banner of equality, fair play, mutual respect and non-discrimination,” Ban said. “I encourage all those involved in the games – Governments, groups, organizations and individuals – to uphold and defend the core Olympic ideals,” he added.

The tradition of an Olympic Truce dates back to ancient Greece. An official proposal for a truce was adopted in the UN General Assembly in 1994.

Russia will host the Olympics in the Black Sea resort Sochi from February 7-23. (T/P012/P04).

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)