United Nations, March 1 (IANS/WAM): The UN Security Council has held what its president described as an "urgent" meeting on the situation in Ukraine, with the its members noting that it is important for all political actors in the strife-torn country to exercise maximum restraint and pursue an inclusive dialogue.

"The Security Council reviewed with concern the recent developments in Ukraine," Raimonda Murmokaite, permanent representative of Lithuania, which holds the rotating presidency of the 15-nation body for February, said after the meeting Friday afternoon.

The Council held closed-door consultations at the request of the permanent mission of Ukraine to the UN, which appealed in a letter to the council president for an urgent meeting "due to the deterioration of the situation in the Autonomous Republic of the Crimea, Ukraine, which threatens the territorial integrity of Ukraine".

Speaking to the press after the consultations, Ambassador Murmokaite said the council had been briefed by UN Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Oscar Fernandez-Taranco.

"Support was expressed for the unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. The Council agreed that it was important that all political actors in Ukraine exercise maximum restraint and called for an inclusive dialogue recognizing the diversity of the Ukrainian society," said the council president.