U.N. alarmed at military build-up around Tigray capital

FILE PHOTO: U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet attends a session of the Human Rights Council at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, September 9, 2019. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

GENEVA (Reuters) - The United Nations human rights chief voiced alarm on Tuesday at reports of a heavy build-up of tanks and artillery around the Tigrayan regional capital of Mekelle after the Ethiopian government's ultimatum to surrender before a threatened attack.

Michelle Bachelet, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, called on all sides to give "clear and unambiguous orders to their forces" to spare civilians, in line with international law.