KIEV, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) has urged Ukraine to extend the term of validity of the law on a "special status" to the conflict-hit eastern region of Donbas, which expires in October, local media reported on Monday.

The Ukrainian government-run Ukrinform news agency said that Martin Sajdik, the OSCE's special representative in the Trilateral Contact Group on Ukraine's crisis, wrote a letter to the Ukrainian parliament, saying that the extension of the law would contribute to the peaceful settlement of the conflict.

In his letter, Sajdik said the prolongation of the law could help the efforts aimed at the deployment of UN peacekeeping troops in Donbas, the agency said.

The armed confrontation between Ukrainian government troops and pro-independence insurgents in Donbas region has been underway since April 2014, claiming about 10,000 lives.

In September 2014, the Ukrainian parliament approved the law on the "special status" to some areas in Donbas, increasing the economic, financial and administrative powers of local communities.

The legislation with a validity term of three years was due to expire in October 2017, but it was extended for another 12 months.