UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday called on Guinea's military authority and government to honor their commitment to stay away from the upcoming elections in the west African country.

    Ban, in a statement issued by his spokesman, also urged all political stakeholders "to work together to find lasting solutions to the challenges facing the country."

    The UN chief is "encouraged by recent political developments in Guinea," particularly the commitment by the interim head of state, General Sekouba Konate, for a return to constitutional order.

    "He welcomes both the invitation extended to the opposition to put forward a consensus prime minister and the guarantees of security given for all Guineans, including the country's political leaders," the statement said.

    "The secretary-general reiterates the commitment of the United Nations to support Guinea toward a rapid restoration of constitutional order in a peaceful and consensual manner," the statement said.

    General Konatem last month vowed to hold democratic elections and urged national reconciliation after a massacre of opposition supporters.

    The general became interim leader in the west African nation after the junta chief, Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, was shot and wounded by an aide three weeks ago. The regime has come under international pressure since the September massacre of opposition supporters by junta forces.

    Camara took power in a bloodless coup on Dec. 23, 2008, just hours after the announcement of long-standing ruler Lansana Conte's death from an illness.