Security Council: Meetings Coverage

The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Iraq called on that country’s leaders to show a “higher sense of urgency” in forming a new Government through an inclusive process, while urging continued support for the country from the international community, as he addressed the Security Council this morning.

The Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Kosovo told the Security Council this afternoon that the issuance of the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the declaration of independence of that territory could end the deadlock in progress on outstanding issues which had held sway during the wait for the Court’s action.

The Security Council this morning renewed the mandate of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) for 12 months while demanding that the parties to the conflict in the region immediately end the fighting as well as attacks on civilians, peacekeepers and humanitarian personnel. Unanimously adopting resolution 1935 (2010), the Council extended the mandate until 31 July 2011, requesting UNAMID to develop a strategy to protect civilians and ensure humanitarian access.

Reporting mixed progress in achieving the goals of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), its top official urged the Security Council this morning to support a “holistic” approach to ending the conflict and to promote the participation of all parties in the peace process.

While noting efforts by the Government of Guinea-Bissau to achieve stability, the Security Council expressed serious concern this morning about the continuing growth of drug trafficking and organized crime, which threatened peace and security in the country and the wider subregion.

Detailing the conduct of ongoing “proximity talks” for Middle East peace, a top United Nations official called today on Israelis and Palestinians to remove the obstacles to direct negotiations, as he opened a day-long Security Council debate in which some 37 speakers participated.

Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs B. Lynn Pascoe today commended recent steps by the Governments of Eritrea and Djibouti to negotiate a settlement, with Qatar acting as mediator, to the border dispute between them, which erupted into conflict in March 2008.

The Security Council today renewed its commitment to preventive diplomacy, pointing to a need to build capability and cooperation at the national, regional and international levels for that purpose, and encouraging the Secretary-General to bring to its attention any matter that might threaten peace.

Firm national action on security sector and other reforms, as well as sustained international attention to the Government’s performance and regional issues, could help overcome threats to stability in Guinea-Bissau, the senior United Nations official in that country said in a briefing to the Security Council today.

Amid daunting difficulties and persistent challenges, West Africa had made “significant progress” in crisis prevention and peacebuilding over the past six months, due to the will of its people and the cooperation of regional institutions, a top United Nations official told the Security Council today.