The Secretary-General is travelling to Afghanistan, where he will co-chair the International Conference on Afghanistan with President Hamid Karzai tomorrow — the first international conference on Afghanistan to be held in the country, organized by the Afghan Government for the Afghan people.
In progress at UNHQ
Noon Briefings
The Secretary-General strongly condemns the suicide bombings in Zahedan, Iran, which have reportedly claimed the lives of scores of people and left many more injured.
Joseph Mutaboba, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Guinea-Bissau, briefed the Security Council this morning in an open meeting on the situation in that country. Mutaboba said that recent developments in the political and security areas have underlined the extreme fragility of the peacebuilding process in Guinea-Bissau, and its vulnerability to reversals.
The UN-African Union Hybrid Operation in Darfur, UNAMID, reports that yesterday, Sudanese Armed Forces clashed with Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) fighters near the Adola Mountains and near Kuma, in North Darfur. The number of possible casualties has yet to be determined. UNAMID is also currently investigating reports of similar fighting in Daba Tago, also in North Darfur.
Said Djinnit, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for West Africa, briefed the Security Council this morning on the situation in that region, and warned of the threat posed by the food crisis, particularly in Niger. But he also noted signs of progress, including the peaceful first round of presidential elections in Guinea.
The Secretary-General strongly condemns the vicious bombings yesterday in Kampala that claimed the lives of dozens of people and left hundreds wounded among Ugandans and other nationalities at establishments where they were watching the World Cup final.
The Security Council this morning adopted a presidential statement in which it deplored the 26 March attack which led to the sinking of the Republic of Korea’s naval ship the Cheonan, resulting in the tragic loss of 46 lives.
Ad Melkert, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Iraq, has condemned in the strongest terms the series of bombings targeting innocent pilgrims during a religious commemoration, killing dozens of worshippers and wounding hundreds more.
The Secretary-General addressed the open debate of the Security Council on civilians and armed conflict this morning, telling them that the wilful targeting of civilians, disproportionate attacks, sexual violence, forced displacement and the denial of humanitarian access remain widespread in armed conflict.
Robert Serry, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, welcomed the measures announced on Gaza by the Government of Israel as important steps in the right direction.