United Nations, Feb 19 (IANS): The UN Security Council stressed "the crucial need for a free, transparent, credible, inclusive and peaceful electoral process" in Burundi in 2015, saying that "the significant progress (in the country) is not reversed."

The 15-nation UN council, in a presidential statement Wednesday issued after a meeting on Burundi, said, "The Security Council welcomes the significant progress made by Burundi since the adoption of the Arusha Agreement in 2000, notably in the restoration of security and stability in the country," Xinhua reported.

"The Security Council notes that there remain challenges to overcome to ensure that the significant progress is not reversed, especially in the context of the 2015 elections," the statement said.

"The Security Council stresses, in this regard, the crucial need for a free, transparent, credible, inclusive and peaceful electoral process in 2015 and sustained attention to such a process."