UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called Friday for all sides to "urgently cease hostile actions" in the Central African Republic, where peacekeepers were deployed to prevent armed groups from disrupting upcoming elections. "He condemns the escalating violence and calls on all actors to urgently cease hostile actions and work towards ensuring conditions conducive to the holding of credible, inclusive and peaceful elections on 27 December," spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. cjc/acb/bgs