ADDIS ABABA, April 13 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) and the United Nations have reiterated their further strengthened partnership to restore peace and stability in the Central African Republic (CAR), while protecting the people of the country from criminal networks.

The two organizations have emphasized the need to provide continued support to civil society organizations (CSOs), women associations, religious leaders and other segments of the society who are promoting peace in that country.

In a joint press conference on Friday at the AU Headquarters in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, the AU Commissioner for Peace and Security, Ismail Chergui, and the UN Undersecretary General for Peace Keeping Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, expressed concern about persistent tensions in the areas, PK5 neighborhood of Bangui, capital of CAR.

The two officials have undertaken a three-day joint visit from 10 to 12 April to Bangui, where they met and held discussions with government officials, representatives of CSOs, women associations, and religious leaders among others.

They have also expressed condolences for loss of lives including personnel of the MINUSCA during the operations conducted on April 8 by the Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the CAR (MINUSCA) and CAR security forces to putting an end to the activities of criminal elements that endanger the lives of peaceful citizens, in a neighborhood that is also the economic hub of Bangui.

"Above all, we wish to emphasize that this operation to restore order and State authority has the sole purpose to protect the people who seek our protection against the criminal elements who oppress them. We want to make it clear that we are determined to act to protect the entire population, across the country," said their joint statement.

"We came back with reinforced determination not only to work together but also to act on specific issue that we have identified, indeed promote the African initiative for dialogue, reconciliation in Central African Republic," said the AU Commissioner for Peace and Security.

Emphasizing on the difficult situation in CAR, the UN Undersecretary General for Peace Keeping Operations said the recent incidents in the neighborhood called PK-5, shows that there is a need of a coordinated and collaborated effort from AU, UN, and other international partners.

Stating that there need to be a trust building effort in the country, he said they have agreed to also support all those from the civil society and from all groups who are promoting peace and also help and deliver messages of reconciliation and dialogue in that country.

"They have the message of reconciliation and peace and dialogue, but we need to support them and we agreed that we need to step up efforts that strengthening and supporting the African peace initiative which has already produced some encouraging results," said Lacroix.