The collective punishment of the Palestinian people and the relentless bombardment of Gaza by Israeli forces is horrific and unjustifiable, a high-level United Nations official told the Security Council today, which also heard from the brother of an Israeli hostage held by Hamas, who implored the 15-member organ not to let his brother’s life to be “used as a bargaining chip”.
The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Linda Thomas-Greenfield (United States):
With the clock ticking down towards the expiration of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action as conflicts proliferate in the Middle East, nuclear diplomacy is needed now, the Security Council heard today, even as its members disagreed on both how the Plan veered off-course and how to get it back on track.
In its first open briefing since the ouster of former President Bashar al-Assad nearly 10 days ago, speakers at today’s Security Council meeting hailed the end of his family’s 54-year dictatorship as a moment of hope for the Syrian people, with two Syrian citizens urging the 15-nation organ to stand by Syrians in their efforts to achieve an inclusive political transition, as well as justice and accountability for the atrocities committed by the Assad regime.
The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Linda Thomas-Greenfield (United States):
Updating the Security Council today on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, a senior United Nations official stressed that repeated attacks on that country’s energy infrastructure by the Russian Federation — as well as the continued inability to reach civilians living in occupied regions — could have dire consequences in the third winter of this “intolerable war”.
The people of Libya are yearning to choose their leaders, a senior United Nations official told the Security Council today, as she outlined a detailed plan to help the country to hold overdue national elections, following the recent municipal polls held after a decade-long hiatus.
Spotlighting Central African States’ renewed commitment to multilateralism, a senior United Nations official briefed the Security Council today on positive political developments in the region amid ongoing violence and security threats.
Five outgoing Chairs of Security Council subsidiary bodies briefed the 15-nation organ on the work of these entities today, with many of them pointing to the significant amount left to accomplish despite the considerable effort invested during the past two years.
The Security Council today extended for 14 months the mandate of the team monitoring sanctions against the Taliban and associated individuals and entities that threaten Afghanistan’s peace, stability and security, as delegates highlighted the experts’ vital work.
