Security Council: Meetings Coverage

Expressing grave concern about the serious events that had occurred in the area of operations of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) on 15 May and 5 June, jeopardizing the long-standing ceasefire between Israel and Syria, the Security Council today renewed the mandate of the Force charged with supervising the ceasefire since 1974 for six months, until 31 December 2011.

The Security Council this morning extended the terms of office of eight permanent and nine ad litem judges serving in the Trial Chambers of the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia until 31 December 2012, or until the completion of their assigned cases.

The Security Council today extended the temporary redeployment of infantry and aviation units from the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) to the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI).

Painting a picture of a country at a crossroads, the top United Nations official in Guinea-Bissau told the Security Council today that, while all basic conditions for genuinely advancing national dialogue and reforming the security sector were in place, durable progress was being hampered by the authorities’ uncertain commitment to addressing impunity, drug trafficking and organized crime, despite their potentially devastating impact on stability.

Stressing the significant challenges posed by the ongoing presence of armed groups in the restive eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Security Council today decided to extend for one year the mandate of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in that country, while demanding that the groups demobilize.

Deeply concerned by the violence, escalating tensions and population displacement in Sudan’s Abyei region and recognizing that the situation demanded an urgent response, the Security Council today authorized the deployment of a peacekeeping force to the disputed area, which straddles Northern and Southern Sudan and is claimed by both.

While Libyan authorities and opposition leaders remained far from agreement, a nascent negotiation process had started and “must be given space to grow and bear fruit”, the top United Nations political affairs official told the Security Council today as he called for a clear, consistent and coherent message on a political solution.

Warning that illicit drugs and organized criminal networks were wreaking havoc in many countries — even holding hostage the stability and development of entire regions — the top United Nations anti-drugs and crime official told the Security Council today that tackling those scourges required “urgent action” supported by a coordinated response, led by the world body.

Reiterating the need for a comprehensive strategy to foster peace and stability in Somalia, the Security Council called today on the signatories of the 9 June Kampala Accord to honour their obligations under that agreement and ensure “cohesion, unity and focus” in completing the transitional tasks set forth in the Djibouti Agreement and the Transitional Charter.

There had been three new alleged violations of the international sanctions imposed on Iran in relation to its nuclear programme, the Chair of the Committee created to monitor the implementation of those measures reported today, as several concerned Security Council members urged Tehran to scale back the activities in dispute and seek a diplomatic solution.