New York, US - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday strongly condemned the armed attack that took place on Sunday near Burundi’s capital city, Bujumbura, which claimed lives and led to injuries on scores of people. Ban also called on all parties to exercise restraint.

According to media reports, at least 36 people have been killed in the attack, when  unidentified gunmen opened fire at a crowded bar near Bujumbura.

In a statemende available to PANA in New York, the secretary-general stated:  'This senseless attack comes at a time when Burundi is trying to consolidate recent gains in peace and stability following decades of civil war.'

He also expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and hoped that the perpetrators of these crimes will be brought to justice promptly.

The UN has an office in Burundi (BNUB) to help the Central African country as it continues on the path towards recovery from decades of civil war and ethnic fighting.

In a report issued last December, Ban noted that the security situation in the country, although relatively stable over 2010, remains a concern, with a high incidence of criminal activities such as armed robbery, killings and sexual violence, as well as “a significant increase in human rights violations'.

Pana 20/09/2011