UN chief expresses concern over Israeli strikes in Syria

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed grave concern about the reported Israeli air strikes in Syria and called on both sides to exercise maximum calm and restraint.
Ban expressed grave concern over reports of air strikes in Syria by the Israeli Air Force, a UN statement said.
"At this time, the United Nations does not have details of the reported incidents. Nor is the United Nations in a position to independently verify what has occurred," said a statement issued by his office.
Ban called on all sides to exercise maximum calm and restraint, and to act with a sense of responsibility to prevent an escalation of what is already a devastating and highly dangerous conflict.

"The Secretary-General urges respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries in the region, and adherence to all relevant Security Council resolutions," the statement said.
Meanwhile, Ban also spoke with Secretary-General of the League of Arab States Nabil ElAraby by telephone on the issue.
"They shared their grave concern about the reported air strikes in Syria and the risks for regional security," a UN statement said, of the telephonic conversation between the UN Secretary-General and the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States.
They agreed that the Deputy UN Secretary-General would follow up with ElAraby on the sidelines of this coming week's Somalia conference in London, the statement said.