UN Secretary-general Ban Ki-moon on Thursday welcomed a Joint Communique signed by Ghana and Gambia in Libya to end the tension between the two West African countries, and applauded the two nations for their commitment to settle differences in a peaceful and negotiated manner.

A statement, issued here by the spokesperson of the secretary-general, said that Ban "welcomes the Join Communique signed today in Sirte, Libya, between the governments of Ghana and the Gambia, to end the tension that arose following the deaths and disappearances of Ghanaian nationals in Gambian territory in 2005."

"The secretary-general applauds both countries for their commitment to settle the differences between them in a peaceful and negotiated manner," the statement said. "He trusts that the Joint Communique will strengthen the existing fraternal and cordial bilateral relationship between Ghana and the Gambia."

"The secretary-general acknowledges and expresses appreciation for the immense contribution of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) which worked preventively and in partnership with the UN, to resolve the problem between the two countries," the statement added.

Source: Xinhua