Ban Repeats Call For Release Of Kidnapped Un Staff Member In Pakistan

UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, who spoke with President Asif Ali Zardari of Pakistan on Saturday, reiterated his appeal for the release of a United Nations staff member abducted some 10 days ago in the west of the South Asian nation.

A statement, issued here by the UN secretary-general's spokesperson, said that the two leaders "agreed on the need to secure the safe and immediate release of John Solecki," the UN high commissioner for refugees (UNHCR) representative in the city of Quetta, capital of the Pakistani province of Balochistan.

Solecki, who has been with the UN since 1991, was kidnapped on Feb. 2 and his driver, Syed Hashim, was killed in the attack.

In the Saturday statement, the secretary-general emphasized the importance of Solecki's humanitarian work in helping the people of Balochistan.

"He stresses that no cause can be served by prolonging the abduction of Mr Solecki," the statement said.

Earlier this week, the United Nations said it is seeking information on a group called the Balochistan Liberation United Front, which on Feb. 7 claimed in local media reports that it is holding Solecki.

Solecki has a medical condition requiring regular medication, adding that delaying his release will lead to a deterioration of health, UN officials said here.