New York, Jumada I 11, 1433, Apr 3, 2012, SPA - United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has called on the international community to eliminate landmines and explosive remnants of war for a safe sustainable world. In his message on the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, which is observed on April 4, the UN Chief said that the United Nations mine action programs make an invaluable contribution to post-conflict recovery, humanitarian relief efforts, peace operations and development initiatives. "They prevent landmines and other explosive ordnance from causing further indiscriminate harm long after conflicts have ended, and help to transform danger zones into productive land. Mine action sets communities on course toward lasting stability." In a press release issued by the UN Information Center (UNIC) on Tuesday and quoted by Qatar News Agency (QNA), he said "Landmines and explosive remnants of war hamper development and endanger lives. Let's eliminate them together for a safe sustainable world." --SPA 14:53 LOCAL TIME 11:53 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/985395