UNITED NATIONS -- The reported Israeli airstrikes on Syria were discussed on Sunday during a phone conversation between UN Secretary-general Ban Ki-moon and Secretary-general of the Arab League (AL) Nabil ElAraby, who shared "grave concern" about the attack and its implications.
"The (UN) secretary-general spoke by telephone today with" ElAraby, according to a readout issued here by Ban's spokesman. " They shared their grave concern about the reported airstrikes in Syria and the risks for regional security," it added.
"They agreed the deputy secretary-general would follow up with Mr. ElAraby on the sidelines of this coming week's Somalia conference in London," the readout said, referring to UN Deputy Secretary-general Jan Eliasson, who departed for the British capital on Sunday to participate in the Somalia Conference to be held on May 7.
Earlier on Sunday, Ban voiced his "grave concern" about the reported Israeli attack, and urged all sides to "exercise maximum calm and restraint."
"At this time, the United Nations does not have details of the reported incidents," said a statement from Ban's spokesman. "Nor is the United Nations in a position to independently verify what has occurred."
"The secretary-general calls on all sides to exercise maximum calm and restraint, and to act with a sense of responsibility to prevent an escalation of what is already a devastating and highly dangerous conflict," the statement said.
"The secretary-general urges respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries in the region, and adherence to all relevant Security Council resolutions," it added.
Syria has deployed missile defense batteries toward Israel in response to the Israeli attack that targeted a Syrian army facility in the capital city of Damascus earlier on Sunday, media reports said.
Syria's state media accused Israel of trying to give a boost to the Syrian rebels after their recent frustrations. The Israeli government has so far made no official comments on the reported attack.