New Zealand joined international calls for a ceasefire in South Ossetia on Monday, with Prime Minister Helen Clark expressing deep concern about the hostilities and loss of life as well as the ramifications for regional stability in the Caucasus, dpa reported.
"The New Zealand government calls on all parties to exercise restraint," she said in a statement after her weekly cabinet meeting. "We call for an immediate ceasefire and a resumption of negotiations to end the conflict."
Clark urged all parties to continue discussions and seek to resolve the matter through the United Nations.