SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION ON DARFUR

SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION ON DARFUR

The Secretary-General welcomes the adoption today of resolution 1556 by the Security Council on the situation in Darfur, Sudan.

The Secretary-General looks forward to the swift and sustained implementation by the Government of Sudan of the commitments it entered into with the United Nations –- in their Joint Communiqué of 3 July 2004.  Meanwhile, he hopes that the resolution will ensure that concerted action is taken to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in Darfur and urges all actors to play their part in protecting the civilian population and improving the desperate plight of the people of the region.

The Secretary-General welcomes the Security Council’s strong support for the efforts of the African Union.  He intends to respond quickly to the request that the United Nations assist the African Union with planning and assessments for its mission in Darfur.  He urges Member States to respond to the Security Council’s call for them to reinforce the international monitoring team by providing personnel and other assistance.

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