The Secretary-General is shocked to hear the reports of the alleged use today of chemical weapons in the suburbs of Damascus. He reaffirms his determination to ensure a thorough investigation of the reported alleged incidents that are brought to his attention by Member States. He reiterates that any use of chemical weapons would violate international law.
In progress at UNHQ
Noon Briefings
Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Oscar Fernandez-Taranco, told the Security Council today that, despite an ever-challenging regional environment, there has been a small but important opening with direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians — an opening neither side can afford to lose.
Before the Secretary-General wrapped up his Middle East visit today, he met the Israeli President, Shimon Peres, and held talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Justice and Defence Ministers, and the Leader of the Opposition. As in Ramallah yesterday, the main focus has been on the Middle East peace process.
With a focus on the Middle East peace process, the Secretary-General met with the Jordanian Foreign Minister today in Amman, and then flew to Aqaba to meet with King Abdullah. He is also meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah. He meets with Israeli leaders today and tomorrow in Jerusalem.
The Secretary-General condemns in the strongest terms the deadly violence today in Cairo that occurred when Egyptian security services used force against demonstrators. He regrets the authorities’ response, and in the aftermath of the violence, urges all Egyptians to promote genuinely inclusive reconciliation.
Having arrived in Islamabad overnight, the Secretary-General has been meeting with Pakistani leaders. He also inaugurated the Centre for International Peace and Stability, at which he praised Pakistan's leading role in peacekeeping operations, and he participated in a college event to promote girls’ education.
The Secretary-General is headed to Pakistan, where he will meet with the country’s leaders. He will receive an update on risk reduction efforts at the National Disaster Management Authority, and he will highlight the country’s role in UN peacekeeping at the inauguration of the Peace and Stability Centre.
The Secretary-General met last night with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov for a working dinner to discuss the conflict in Syria, including the escalating humanitarian crisis and the disconcerting rise in sectarian violence. They also discussed the situations in Lebanon and Afghanistan, as well as the Middle East and North Africa.
The United Nations in Myanmar has welcomed the release of 68 children and young people from the Myanmar armed forces. Today’s development follows the release of 42 children and young people exactly one month ago and is the fourth under an action plan agreed between the UN team on the ground and the Government.
The Secretary-General spoke this morning at a Security Council open debate on cooperation between United Nations and regional and subregional organizations. He said that regional and subregional organizations have deep knowledge, unique insights and strong local networks, while the United Nations adds to this equation its universal membership and legitimacy.