Burundian political leaders have been urged to approach the upcoming elections with the highest sense of responsibility.

The UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, in a statement in New York , on Sunday, advised the country’s political leaders to create an environment conducive for peaceful, credible and inclusive elections .

The parliamentary elections in Burundi are due on June 29 while the presidential poll will hold on July 15.

Ban said that the world had been following the political crisis in Burundi with concern considering that the crisis had threatened to undo more than a decade's effort at consolidating peace and reconciliation in the country.

He praised the communiqué of the meeting of the African Union Peace and Security Council held on June 13 at the level of Heads of State and Government towards credible elections in Burundi.

Ban said that all Burundians should work hard at reducing tension and settling their differences peacefully.

He said that the UN Regional Office for Central Africa would open an office in Burundi to help work towards free and fair elections. Thus, the regional office will work together with the African Union, the East African Community, and the International Conference for the Great Lakes Region.

According to the statement, Ban's Special Representative and Head of the UN Regional Office for Central Africa, Abdoulaye Bathily, must have arrived in Bujumbura for that purpose.