United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday urged all parties in Bahrain to begin the national dialogue on reform and reconciliation, saying that it has created an opportunity for all sides to address political and constitutional reform and facilitate national reconciliation.
“Ban Ki-moon expressed concern at the apparent impasse in launching a national dialogue a few weeks after King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa asked Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa to initiate such a process,” his spokesperson said in a statement.
“The Secretary-General calls on all parties in Bahrain to seize the moment and engage in a broad-based, peaceful and meaningful dialogue involving the political opposition and civil society in the interest of all Bahraini people,” the spokesperson said.
Ban Ki-moon reiterated the readiness of the United Nations to provide support to nationally-led efforts, if requested to do so.
“The Secretary-General also calls on all of Bahrain’s regional neighbours and the wider international community to support a dialogue process and an environment conducive for credible reforms in Bahrain,” the spokesperson said.