Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today he hoped the recent wave of peaceful protests in Myanmar will spur dialogue between the Government and all relevant parties on promoting national reconciliation, the restoration of democracy and full respect for human rights in the Asian nation.

“The Secretary-General hopes that the Government will seize this opportunity to engage without delay in dialogue with all the relevant parties to the national reconciliation process on the issues of concern to the people of Myanmar,” his spokesperson said in a statement.

Mr. Ban also expressed his commitment to “continue to intensify his assistance in this process with a view to promoting national reconciliation, the restoration of democracy and full respect for human rights in Myanmar.”

The Secretary-General is closely following events in the country, where demonstrations began last month in protest at a surge in fuel prices and the protesters have included many of the country’s monks.

“He commends the peaceful approach the demonstrators are using to press their interests, and he calls upon the Myanmar authorities to continue to exercise restraint,” the statement added.

Last week, Mr. Ban’s Special Envoy for Myanmar emphasized that the latest events are a clear setback for the country.

Briefing the UN Security Council, Ibrahim Gambari said “we have no choice but to persevere” through the Secretary-General’s good offices and work with all relevant parties to try to “move events in the right direction.”

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