PRESS STATEMENT ON SIERRA LEONE DIAMOND EMBARGO BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

Following is today’s press statement on the Security Council’s review of the Sierra Leone diamond embargo by Council President Sergey Lavrov (Russian Federation):

Security Council

4768^th Meeting* (AM)

UN INSPECTORS FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF PROHIBITED WEAPONS PROGRAMMES

AS OF 18 MARCH WITHDRAWAL, HANS BLIX TELLS SECURITY COUNCIL

Says New Environment in Iraq, with Full Access and Cooperation,

Should Allow Establishment of Truth about ‘Unaccounted for’ Items

Up until they were withdrawn from Iraq on 18 March –- the day before

PRESS STATEMENT ON CÔTE D’IVOIRE BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

The following press statement on Côte d’Ivoire was delivered today by Security Council President Sergey Lavrov (Russian Federation):

Members of the Security Council were briefed by Assistant Secretary-General Hédi Annabi on the latest developments in Côte d’Ivoire and on progress made towards establishing the United Nations Mission in Côte d’Ivoire (MINUCI).

PRESIDENT OF UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL AND CHAIRMAN

OF MILITARY STAFF COMMITTEE IN JUNE

In accordance with the principle of alphabetical rotation, the following are the President of the United Nations Security Council and the Chairman of the Military Staff Committee for June:

Security Council

Security Council

4766^th Meeting (AM & PM)

SECURITY COUNCIL CONSIDERS PEACE, SECURITY ISSUES AFFECTING AFRICA

IN ADVANCE OF UPCOMING MISSIONS TO CONTINENT

Security Council

4765^th Meeting (AM)

Security Council

4764^th Meeting* (AM)

SECURITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZES INTERIM FORCE IN BUNIA,

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO, UNTIL 1 SEPTEMBER

Resolution 1484 (2003) Adopted Unanimously

The Security Council this morning authorized the establishment until 1 September of an Interim Emergency Multinational Force in Bunia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, with authorization to take all necessary measures to fulfil its mandate.

CHAIR OF SECURITY COUNCIL IRAQ SANCTIONS COMMITTEE SAYS PROCEDURES

CONCERNING FLIGHTS TO IRAQ NO LONGER VALID

The Chairman of the Security Council Committee established by resolution

661 (1990) concerning the situation between Iraq and Kuwait wishes to make the following statement concerning flights to Iraq:

PRESS STATEMENT ON DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

The following press statement on the Democratic Republic of the Congo was delivered today by Security CouncilPresident Munir Akram (Pakistan):

The Council had a very important meeting on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

PRESS STATEMENT ON BURUNDI BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

Following is today’s press statement on Burundi by Security CouncilPresident Munir Akram (Pakistan):

Members of the Security Council:

-- Welcome the positive developments which have taken place in Burundi and further encourage the political actors and armed groups in Burundi to opt for dialogue and to eschew violence;