Jeffrey Feltman, the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, told the Security Council this morning that it is a moment of increased risk and instability across the Middle East, with a need for quick and concerted action to address the humanitarian situation, both inside and outside Syria.
In progress at UNHQ
Noon Briefings
Strongly condemning today’s attacks on the French Embassy in Tripoli, Libya, the Secretary-General said the targeting of diplomatic missions and staffs was never justifiable. He reaffirmed the United Nations’ commitment to assist the Libyan Government and its people in building a democratic state based on the rule of law.
Jeffrey Feltman, the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, visited the Central African Republic today and appealed for urgent efforts to establish security and stop abuses against civilians. He reiterated international calls for a full return to constitutional rule.
The Security Council today received an update on Syria from Joint Special Representative Lakhdar Brahimi. Last night the Council, following yesterday’s briefings on Syria’s humanitarian situation, expressed the view that the escalating violence must end immediately and urged all parties to ensure safe, unimpeded access for aid organizations in all areas of the country.
The Security Council today was briefed by four senior UN officials – the Emergency Relief Coordinator, the refugee commissioner, and the envoys on sexual violence in conflict and children in armed conflict – on the humanitarian crisis in Syria. The Relief Coordinator appealed to the Council to act to end the brutal conflict, saying those working to assist the Syrian people ‘are losing hope’.
The Secretary-General is alarmed by the rapidly deteriorating security situation in the Central African Republic. He strongly condemns the Séléka movement’s acts of violence against the civilian population, and urges the de facto authorities to restore law and order throughout the country and to ensure the protection of civilians.
At Headquarters today, the Secretary-General led the ceremony and call to action that aims to spur accelerated progress in achieving the eight anti-poverty Millennium Development Goals in the thousand days leading to the 2015 target date. He highlighted the successes so far, and urged: “Over the next 1,000 days let us give 1,000 per cent.”
This afternoon, the Secretary-General will meet President Barack Obama at the White House, where he will thank the President for the strong support the United States has provided to the Organization, and they will discuss a broad range of pressing as well as longer-term global issues.
In the General Assembly today the Secretary-General noted the work of the international criminal tribunals and the International Criminal Court, and said these new instruments of justice have ushered in an ‘age of accountability’. Today impunity for war crimes is no longer acceptable, nor is it tolerated.
The Secretary-General met in the Vatican with His Holiness Pope Francis today. He said afterwards that they had discussed the need to advance social justice and accelerate work to meet the Millennium Development Goals. The Secretary-General added that he was very heartened by the commitment of Pope Francis to build bridges among communities of faith. The Secretary-General also met with the Italian President and Prime Minister, and the Speakers of both houses.