UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Monday urged all social and political sectors of Bolivia to reach a solution to the political impasse so they can hold elections as planned on Dec. 26.

"The secretary-general is following closely the political developments in Bolivia, and expressed concern about the critical junction the country is going through," UN spokesman Stephanie Dujarric told reporters.

Annan offered the help of the UN in finding solutions to the challenges Bolivia is facing, the spokesman said.

The elections are the result of a decision made in July by Bolivia's Parliament to hold presidential, vice-presidential, parliamentary and prefecto (regional gubernatorial) elections in December.

That decision followed civil unrest and growing political opposition which caused the resignation of then-President Carlos Mesa, and the interim appointment in June of Eduardo Rodriguez to the post by the Bolivian congress and senate.

Source: Xinhua