UN chief calls for non-violence in Ukraine

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon on Monday reiterated his call for non-violence in Ukraine and urged "all Ukrainians to express their differences peacefully and through dialogue and to seek a durable solution through compromise. " "The secretary-general calls for an inclusive political process that reflects the aspirations of all Ukrainians and preserves Ukraine's unity and territorial integrity," said a statement issued here by Ban's spokesman. "In order to bring about a stable and prosperous future for Ukraine, the secretary-general calls for a firm commitment, by all concerned, to uphold the key principles of democracy and human rights and thereby create a conducive environment for free and fair elections." The Ukrainian Interior Ministry on Monday issued an arrest warrant for dismissed President Viktor Yanukovych and his close allies. Yanukovych left Kiev, the Ukrainian capital, late Friday to take part in a regional meeting in the city of Kharkov near the Russian border after signing an agreement with the opposition to end the conflict, according to media reports. On Saturday, the Ukrainian Parliament passed a resolution to dismiss Yanukovych from his post, declaring him constitutionally unable to carry out his duties. The same day, the presidential plane tried to take off from the airport in eastern Ukraine, but was denied permission for lack of proper documents, according to the Ukrainian State Border Service. So far, more than 80 people have been killed and hundreds of others injured during anti-government protests in Ukraine, which began last November to back the country's European integration and turned violent last Tuesday. "The secretary-general continues to closely follow the rapidly unfolding events in Ukraine," said the statement. "He has remained in continual contact with key actors on how to support a peaceful way forward for Ukraine at this time of transformation." To assure Ukrainians of the support of the UN and the wider international community, Ban has sent his senior advisor Robert Serry to Ukraine. The secretary-general expects all key international actors to work collaboratively to help Ukrainians at this challenging time in their country's history, said the statement. In his meeting with Oleksander Turchinov, the new speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament, Serry conveyed Ban's solidarity with all Ukrainians and his commitment to assist a Ukrainian-led inclusive governance process, the statement added.