New York, US - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday expressed concern over the deadly violence in Malawi, where up to 18 people have reportedly been killed and many others injured during clashes between anti-government demonstrators and security forces this week.

Media reports indicated that the clashes took place in the country’s main cities of Lilongwe, Blantyre and Mzuzu, with protesters demonstrating against shortages of fuel and foreign exchange and calling for greater freedoms and human rights.

A UN statement said that Ban was 'saddened by the loss of lives and reiterates his call for all differences to be resolved through peaceful means.'

He also urged both the protesters and government forces to eschew violence.

Pana 22/07/2011