LISBON, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Portuguese government called on Thursday for an immediate end to the violence in Rakhine State of Myanmar.
"The Portuguese government calls for an immediate end to the violence and hopes Myanmar authorities can quickly guarantee conditions for reestablishing humanitarian access and, at the same time, ensuring the protection of the innocent civil population," the foreign ministry said in a statement.
"Portugal supports the democratic transition that is underway in Myanmar, as well as the peace and reconciliation process," it said.
Portugal calls for the prompt implementation of the recommendations issued by the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State, presided over by Kofi Annan, as a road map to long-term unity and stability in the country, according to the statement.
On Wednesday, the UN Security Council expressed "deep concern" over the situation in RakhineState of Myanmar and called for an end to violence against the Rohingya, a Muslim ethnic minority group.
"The members of the Security Council expressed deep concern about the situation in Rakhine State. acknowledging the initial attack (by Rohingyas) on Myanmar security forces on Aug. 25, they condemned the subsequent violence (by Myanmar security forces), which has led to over 370,000 people being displaced," said Tekeda Alemu, president of the Security Council for the month of September, in a readout of the council's agreement following closed-door consultations.
