UN chief condemns attack on peacekeepers in Central African Republic

UNITED NATIONS, June 22 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday condemned Friday's attack by unidentified armed elements on a patrol of the UN peacekeeping force in the Central African Republic (CAR), said his spokesman.

The attack, which occurred along the Birao-Am Dafock axis in Vakaga Prefecture, resulted in the death of a Zambian peacekeeper and the injury of another.

Noting that attacks targeting UN peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law, Guterres called on the CAR authorities to spare no effort in identifying the perpetrators so that they can be brought to justice swiftly, said Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman, in a statement.

The secretary-general expressed his deepest condolences to the family of the fallen peacekeeper and to the government and the people of Zambia and wished a swift and full recovery to the injured soldier, said the statement. ■