UN chief hails formation of gov't in CAR in line with agreement

UNITED NATIONS - United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday welcomed the establishment of a government in the Central African Republic (CAR) in line with the Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation.

"The secretary-general commends the leadership role of the African Union in particular in the successful conclusion of the consultations that were held in Addis Ababa from March 18 to 20, with United Nations support on CAR," Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for the secretary-general, said in a statement.

The secretary-general urged all signatories of the agreement to adhere to its agreed principles, especially "the rejection of violence and respect for human rights and human dignity," said Haq.

"He further urges all signatories of the peace agreement to expedite its implementation," he noted.

The secretary-general reiterated the commitment of the UN to assisting the CAR and called on all partners to continue to support the people and government of the CAR in their efforts "to secure lasting peace" in the country, he added.

According to the agreement signed in the CAR capital Bangui on Feb. 6, President Faustin-Archange Touadera agreed to form an inclusive government.

The agreement, the eighth since 2012 in the CAR, brought together the CAR government and 14 major armed groups.