The United Nations Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS) continues to step up its deployment on the ground. Today, the Mission has 145 observers and 56 civilian staff deployed in Syria. The Mission is also carrying out patrols, one day after the attacks that took place in Damascus.
In progress at UNHQ
Noon Briefings
The United Nations-League of Arab States Joint Special Envoy for Syria, Kofi Annan, has condemned in the strongest possible terms the attacks that took place earlier today in Damascus. These abhorrent acts are unacceptable, he said, calling on all parties to avoid further bloodshed and to protect civilians.
This morning in Syria, an explosion occurred in the vicinity of a convoy of the UN Supervision Mission in Syria, soon after it had crossed a military checkpoint on the road approaching the town of Dar’a. The Head of the Mission, Major General Robert Mood, was in that convoy, and there were no casualties among the members of the Mission.
Kofi Annan, the UN-League of Arab States Joint Special Envoy for Syria, briefed the Security Council today by videoconference from Geneva on the latest developments. Hervé Ladsous, the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, briefed on deployment of the UN Stabilization Mission in Syria.
The Secretary-General is in Washington, D.C., today, where he is speaking at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies about the growth of UN peacebuilding. He is talking about how peacebuilding saves lives, protects human rights and promotes the rule of law.
The Secretary-General told the Security Council today that collective efforts have disrupted terrorist attacks and disabled terrorist networks. In combating terrorism, the international community must work as one. This is why he hopes Member States will create a United Nations Counter-Terrorism Coordinator.
On World Press Freedom Day, the Secretary-General said that defenders of a free press are safeguarding our rights and we must, in turn, ensure theirs. Noting that more than 60 journalists were killed worldwide last year, he said the attacks are outrageous, and he called on all concerned to prevent and prosecute such violence.
The Security Council today unanimously approved a resolution deciding that Sudan and South Sudan shall unconditionally resume negotiations under the auspices of the African Union High-level Implementation Panel. It also called on them to immediately cease all hostilities, including aerial bombardments, within 48 hours.
The Secretary-General travelled from Myanmar’s capital Naypyitaw to the city of Yangon this morning. His first stop in Yangon was at the home of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Following their meeting, the Secretary-General spoke to the press. He congratulated her on her election to Parliament and on the great success of her party.
The Secretary-General is in Naypyitaw, the capital of Myanmar, today. He held talks with President Thein Sein and the speakers of the Upper and Lower Houses of Parliament. Addressing the Joint Houses of Parliament, he told them that the dramatic changes sweeping Myanmar have inspired the world.