UN chief congratulates Guinea-Bissau for holding of peaceful elections

www.chinaview.cn 2009-08-01 12:08:09

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UNITED NATIONS, July 31 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday congratulated Guinea-Bissau for holding of peaceful elections, saying that he was encouraged by the positive statements made by both candidates to respect the outcome of the elections. A statement, issued by Ban's spokesperson here, said that the secretary-general has taken note of the announcement by the Supreme Court of Guinea-Bissau of the final results of the presidential elections held on July 26. Guinea-Bissau's former leader Malam Bacai Sanha, defeating rival Kumba Yala, has won a presidential run-off to replace assassinated ex-President Joao Bernardo Vieira. Ban congratulated the country's institutions which participated in the organization of the polls, including, in particular, the National Electoral Commission, the Government and security forces, as well as political parties and the people of Guinea-Bissau as a whole, for their constructive efforts which resulted in the holding of peaceful elections, the statement said. "He also commends the international community for its continued engagement with Guinea-Bissau at a critical point in its history," it said. "The United Nations stands ready to support and work with the newly elected President and with the Government as a whole in helping to consolidate peace and to promote socio-economic development in the country," it added.