( UN ) - Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the lifting of the state of emergency imposed nine days ago in Georgia and stressed the need for a credible election process ahead of presidential polls scheduled to take place 5 January next year.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mr. Ban "emphasizes the importance of the full restoration of freedom of expression and association" in the lead-up to the election.
"In particular, the Secretary-General looks forward for all media to fully resume normal operations in order to offer all relevant actors equal access in the electoral campaign."