Security Council: Meetings Coverage

A rapidly deteriorating security and humanitarian crisis plaguing hundreds of thousands of civilians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo must be brought to a swift end with intensified help from the international community, the United Nations’ top official in that country told the Security Council today.

Continuing to be gravely concerned by the threat of piracy and armed robbery at sea off the coast of Somalia, the Security Council today renewed for another year the authorizations, first agreed in 2008, for international action to fight the crimes in cooperation with the new Somali Government, whom it requested to create a national legal framework for the effort.

The Security Council this evening demanded the immediate withdrawal of the armed group known as the 23 March Movement (M23) from the major eastern Congolese city of Goma and the cessation of any further advances, calling for a clarification of reports of external support provided to the group and stating its readiness to act on the basis of information received.

Acknowledging that international cooperation had helped bring about a sharp reduction in attacks at sea, the Security Council stressed the need for comprehensive action to eradicate piracy and condemned in the strongest terms hostage-taking and the increased violence employed in the crime, during an open meeting that heard from more than 40 speakers today.

Urging Sudan and South Sudan to activate recently agreed border security mechanisms, the Security Council today extended the mandate of the United Nations security mission in the disputed area of Abyei until 31 May 2013.

With terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction continuing to pose a serious threat to international peace and security, close cooperation and coordination among partners were essential, the Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1373 (2001) said as the Security Council reviewed the work of its three anti-terrorism Committees.

Calling on all Bosnia and Herzegovina’s political leaders to refrain from divisive rhetoric and make further concrete and tangible progress towards European Union integration, the Security Council today authorized a one-year renewal of the European Union multinational stabilization force (EUFOR ALTHEA) until 15 November 2013.

The current gridlocked political landscape in Bosnia and Herzegovina demanded the Security Council’s attention before stagnation and divisive dialogue threatened to unravel fragile gains, the United Nations’ top official told Council members this morning.

With the mandate of the Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste set for completion at the end of this year, the top United Nations official in the country, along with the leader of the Security Council’s recent visit, celebrated the progress of the fledgling nation and urged further, “innovative” international engagement with it, in the Council Chamber this afternoon.

As Libyans celebrated the first anniversary of national liberation, the formation of a new Government last week boded well for their political transformation, while violent flare-ups were reminders of challenges in the areas of security, reconciliation and the rule of law, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General told the Security Council this morning.