UNITED NATIONS, April 27 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations on Thursday called for restraint and calm in the Republic of Macedonia, saying that violence is "unacceptable."
"We are following developments unfolding in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia with great concern and call for restraint and calm," Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman for the UN secretary-general, said in a statement.
"Violence directed at democratic institutions and elected representatives of the people is unacceptable," the statement said.
"We urge all political forces to resolve their differences through democratic means, strictly adhering to the Constitution, in order to overcome the political impasse without further delay," the statement added.
Authorities in Macedonia said Thursday that 77 people have been injured in clashes inside and outside the parliament building of the southeast European country.
The injured included 22 police officers and three lawmakers who were attacked when dozens of protesters pushed through a police cordon and stormed into the building of the Macedonian parliament on Thursday afternoon, reports said.
