U.N. urges peaceful Sierra Leone elections

UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 15 (UPI) -- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged Sierra Leone to carry out peaceful elections and build on progress made since the end of its civil war.

The West African nation will hold four elections Saturday, for presidential, parliamentary, local council and mayoral positions, in what is regarded as an important step in rebuilding the country after its civil war ended in 2001, a U.N. statement said.

"Peaceful elections resulting in a credible outcome are critical for consolidating Sierra Leone's hard-won peace," said Ban in the statement, adding praise for the cooperation of political parties and other stakeholders who signed a May 2102 declaration committing themselves to fair and free elections.