The Secretary-General condemned today’s murder of a Palestinian child in the West Bank and called for the perpetrators of that terrorist act to be promptly brought to justice. He expressed his deepest condolences to the family of Ali Dawabsha, who were themselves severely injured in the arson attack. He urged both sides to take bold steps to return to the path of peace.
In progress at UNHQ
Noon Briefings
The World Food Programme (WFP) has begun distributing food to around 340,000 people in eight of the worst-affected areas of the southern Yemeni port city of Aden. WFP partners were distributing two-month food rations in districts of Aden that had not been reached since April because of conflict. The food includes wheat flour, pulses and cooking oil.
In a message to the Special Meeting of the Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee on foreign terrorist fighters today, the Secretary-General said the rise in the number of those fighters demonstrates the growing spread of violent extremism, which demands urgent international attention.
The Secretary-General condemned in the strongest terms the attack perpetrated by Al-Shabaab yesterday on the Jazeera Hotel in Mogadishu. He affirmed that this egregious attack will not deter the United Nations and international partners from their steadfast commitment to help the people and Government of Somalia realize a peaceful future for their country.
The UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali, MINUSMA, has condemned an attack on its camp in Aguelhok, which was today targeted by mortar fire. MINUSMA peacekeepers reinforced the camp and sent out patrols to locate the area from where the shells were fired and ensure the safety of the civilian population.
The Secretary-General took note of the broadly peaceful conduct of polling in the Burundian presidential elections on 21 July and called on all parties to continue to remain calm and immediately resume an inclusive political dialogue to resolve their differences and address the challenges facing the country. He reminded Burundian authorities of their responsibility to guarantee and protect the safety and security of the civilian population and to ensure an end to further acts of violence as well as accountability for any human rights violations committed.
The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Iraq, briefing the Security Council, said the country has been living through one of the most difficult phases in its modern history. However, despite the daunting problems, hope and a vision remain for a way out of the crisis, he said.
The Secretary-General took note of the indefinite suspension of the inter-Burundian dialogue that started on 14 July. He reiterates his appeal for the resumption of a frank dialogue among all parties and urges them to avoid undermining progress achieved in building democracy.
The Secretary-General today welcomed the adoption of Security Council resolution 2231 (2015), which he said will ensure the enforcement of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on Iran’s nuclear programme.
The Secretary-General congratulates Member States on their adoption today of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, the far-reaching outcome of the Third International Conference on Financing for Development in Addis Ababa, as a major step forward in building a world of prosperity and dignity for all.