UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday called for an immediate cessation of hostilities between Afghanistan and Pakistan, his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said.

"I can tell you that the Secretary-General is deeply concerned by the escalation of violence between Afghanistan and Pakistan and the impact that violence is having on civilian populations," Dujarric told a daily briefing.

The UN chief reiterated his call on the parties to resolve any differences through diplomacy, the spokesperson added.

On the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, Dujarric said according to UN humanitarians, years of conflict, poverty and natural disasters, such as drought and earthquakes, have left nearly half the country's population in need of humanitarian aid.

"This number will only increase if the fighting goes on or escalates," he said.

"We continue to call on all parties to the conflict to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law; in particular, to ensure that civilians are protected at all times, as well as civilian infrastructure," Dujarric said. ■