UNITED NATIONS (AP) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is calling for an Olympic truce and urging all warring parties to lay down their weapons and put aside difference during the upcoming summer games in Rio de Janeiro.
The U.N. chief said in a video posted on Twitter Tuesday that the International Olympic Committee and the United Nations work closely together ''for global harmony and peace.''
''I congratulate all the athletes and all the supporters and fans who will be filling the sporting arenas of Rio in the weeks ahead,'' Ban said. ''The Olympics and Paralympics celebrate the best of humanity.''
The 193-member U.N. General Assembly has passed resolutions since 1993 calling for an Olympic truce, but countries continue fighting wars whether the Olympics are on or not.
