Security Council: Meetings Coverage

The situation in West Africa had taken a turn “in the right direction”, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative in the subregion told the Security Council today, noting that a cessation of “open conflict” and tensions tied to institutional political unrest had, in some countries, resulted in credible elections.

Following a high-level meeting of the Security Council that underscored the imperative to assist countries and shattered communities to turn the page of violence and conflict — including in Africa where much of the attention was focused — and consolidate peace where it had been achieved, the 15-member body today committed to taking “effective steps” to enhance the relationship between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations, particularly the African Union.

As the Security Council met this afternoon to consider the situation in Somalia, it was told that it was now time for the international community to make a vital investment to nurture the fragile peace process, help the Transitional Federal Government establish authority throughout the country, build security and rule-of-law institutions, and expand the presence of the African Union.

Initial steps taken by parties to the most recent peace accord for Sudan’s Darfur region — the so-called Doha Document — provided “reason for optimism” and should be supported by the Security Council, the top peacekeeping official told the 15-member body this morning.

Demanding that the Governments of Sudan and South Sudan redeploy all remaining military and police personnel from the disputed Abyei Area “immediately and without preconditions”, the Security Council this afternoon extended the mandate of the United Nations Interim Security Force in that locale, known as UNISFA, for a further five months.

United Nations support for the interim Libyan Government, four weeks after its formation, was intensifying as the authorities sought to respond to a gradually changing public mood increasingly focused on issues that were central to the demands of the revolution, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative told the Security Council this morning.

Against a backdrop of growing concern about the nature of Iran’s nuclear programme, and amid questions of transparency surrounding the non-publication of a report by an expert panel, the Chair of the Security Council Committee created to monitor compliance with sanctions imposed on Iran said today that it was considering holding an open briefing to discuss its mandate and activities.

The Security Council, concerned at the security vacuum in many parts of the Central African Republic and of reports of continued human rights violations there, today extended the mandate of the United Nations Peacebuilding Office in that country (BINUCA) until 31 January 2013.

Reaffirming its full commitment to the consolidation of peace and stability in Guinea-Bissau, the Security Council today extended the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in that country until 28 February 2013.

Reaffirming that staff retention was essential for the completion of the work of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, the Security Council this morning extended the terms of office of four judges of the Trial Chamber until 30 June 2012 or sooner if their trials were completed.