Describing “fragile but palpable” improvements in Tripoli’s security situation, the top United Nations official in Libya today outlined efforts to support the country’s authorities in tackling rampant terrorism, overcoming its political stalemate and ending the criminal plundering of national wealth that drives millions of Libyans deeper into poverty each day.
Gender-responsive policing, the fight against organized crime, strengthening rule of law, protecting human rights and building consistency across all United Nations peacekeeping missions were among priorities voiced as heads of police components briefed the Security Council today.
Urging the parties in Bosnia and Herzegovina to speedily form a new Government following recent elections, the Security Council today renewed its authorization of the European-led multinational stabilization force (EUFOR Althea) for one further year, amid a briefing and debate on the situation in the country.
The Security Council, acting by consensus today, decided to renew for 12 months authorizations allowing international naval forces to join in the fight against piracy in the waters off the coast of Somalia.
The senior United Nations disarmament affairs official warned today that the Security Council must remain united against the use of chemical weapons, a crime that must always be viewed as a violation of a “deeply held taboo”.
Voting to extend, until 15 February 2020, the mandate of the Panel of Experts who oversee the sanctions targeting the illicit export of oil from Libya, the Security Council decided that perpetrators of gender-based violence may also be subject to the measures.
Outlining her continued activities to fight impunity for grave crimes committed since 2011 in Libya, the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court today asked the Security Council to back up its support with effective action, particularly regarding the arrest of outstanding fugitives from justice.
The Security Council decided today to extend the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) until 30 April 2019, calling upon the parties to the dispute over that territory to engage constructively in resumed talks planned for the end of 2018.
Reporting civilian casualties again on the rise and separatist elections planned outside of the long-stalled Minsk agreements in eastern Ukraine, the United Nations top political-affairs official today called on all parties to recommit to swift implementation of those agreements to end the conflict.
The Security Council today adopted a resolution condemning attacks by armed groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and their role in exacerbating the country’s ongoing Ebola outbreak, while demanding full, safe, immediate and unhindered access for the humanitarian and medical personnel working to save lives and prevent the virus from spreading across the region.
