Security Council: Meetings Coverage

The inflow of weapons into the Central African Republic appeared to have been staunched, but impunity for human rights abuses and illicit exploitation of minerals “created fertile ground for rebel and criminal activities”, the head of the sanctions committee on that country told the Security Council this morning.

Warning at an emergency Security Council meeting this morning of violence spiralling out of control in Gaza, Israel and the West Bank, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on the international community to accelerate efforts to immediately halt the escalation as he condemned the rising toll on Palestinian civilians.

With “remarkable strides” in the stabilization of Mali and Guinea-Bissau and high economic growth in West Africa, regional actors were refocusing on development needs while dealing with Boko Haram terrorists, the Ebola virus and other emerging crises, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General told the Security Council this morning.

With the lives of the Syrian people “hang[ing] in the balance”, there were no words to describe the frustration of aid workers forced to spend endless hours seeking permission to deliver assistance, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator told the Security Council today.

Resolving past and present questions concerning the possible military dimensions of Iran’s nuclear programme was a central element of the Security Council’s discussion today as it met to hear a briefing by the Chair of the Committee monitoring that sanctions regime.

The Security Council today extended the mandate of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) until 30 June 2015, within the authorized troop ceiling of 11,200 military and 1,440 police personnel.

The Security Council today extended the mandate of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) for six months, until 31 December 2014, requesting the Secretary-General to ensure that it had the required capacity and resources to fulfil its duties.

During a debate on the situation in Afghanistan, the Security Council issued two presidential statements on recent elections, reiterating their importance to that country's transition and democratic development, and on the threat posed by rampant illicit opium cultivation.

The Security Council today extended the mandate of the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire until 30 June 2015, adjusting it in line with progress on the ground, including the improved security situation.

The security situation in the Central African Republic remained tense, with a series of deadly attacks and spontaneous demonstrations testing the local and international community’s ability to bring calm to that nation, the Security Council heard today.