(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - In a statement released on Monday, Ban said he was troubled that the violence had left many people injured over the past few days, adding that the United Nations is in touch with all the Bahraini parties, including the Government and key opposition parties.
“The Secretary General strongly believes that peaceful means should be adopted to ensure national unity and stability. He appeals to all concerned to exercise maximum restraint and to do everything possible to prevent the use of force and further violence.
"He also underscores the responsibility of all parties to act in strict accordance with international human rights and humanitarian law,” the statement stressed.
The UN chief also called for a meaningful and broad-based national dialogue, and urged Bahrain's regional neighbors and the international community to support a dialogue process and an environment conducive for credible reform in Bahrain.
“The United Nations continues to stand ready to provide support to nationally-led efforts, if requested to do so,” the statement concluded.
The remarks came after Saudi Arabia and other [Persian] Gulf Cooperation Council member states dispatched their armed forces to Bahrain in response to Manama's call for military help to quell public protests.
Bahraini opposition groups, including the main bloc al-Wefaq National Islamic Society, denounced the move as an invasion of the tiny Persian Gulf kingdom.
The United States, which has its Fifth Fleet based there, has declined to term the troops' move into Bahrain as incursion.
At least seven people have lost their lives and hundreds of others have sustained injuries following the Bahraini government's violent crackdown on demonstrators.
Thousands of Bahraini anti-government protesters are still camping out in Manama's Pearl Square, which has become the symbol of the popular drive for change.
Demonstrators maintain that they will hold their ground until their demands for freedom, constitutional monarchy in the kingdom and a say in the government are met.
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