Security Council: Meetings Coverage

Opening a day-long debate on the protection of civilians in armed conflict today, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told the Security Council that it must broaden its focus to both causative and normative factors in order to address a “huge common challenge”, as non-combatants remained targeted around the world.

Following a fatal explosion at a demonstration in northern Kosovo last Friday, the President of Serbia blamed tensions there on the enclave’s unilateral declaration of independence, while the Secretary-General’s Special Representative called on all parties to refrain from provocative statements, as the Security Council held a meeting on the subject today.

The Security Council today renewed the mandate of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), which has supervised the ceasefire between Israel and Syria since 1974, forthe next sixth months, until 31 December.

Briefing the Security Council on the situation in Afghanistan today, the top United Nations envoy in that country stressed the importance of maintaining resilience in the year ahead, with events in the first half of 2010 — the consultative Peace Jirga, a follow-up conference in Kabul and progress on elections — providing reassurance that, despite the increased attacks by insurgents on civilians, major political aims were broadly on track.

Reiterating its determination to fully support the credible electoral process in Côte d’Ivoire, and in an effort to shore up implementation of the Ouagadougou Political Agreement, the Security Council today extended the mandate in that West African country of the United Nations peacekeeping operation, known as UNOCI, and the French forces supporting it, at its current strength of military and police components, for a further six months, until 31 December.

Taking note of the updated trial and appeals schedule submitted by the President of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and that body’s own assessment that it would not be in a position to complete its work in 2010, the Security Council today extended the terms of office of 16 judges at that court.

The Security Council today extended the terms of office of 23 judges at the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, taking note of the Tribunal’s own assessment that it was not in a position to complete all work in 2010, and of its President’s concern about the loss of experienced staff.

The Security Council this afternoon called upon States to settle disputes peacefully through the various regional and international courts and tribunals set up for that purpose and pledged to continue forcefully to fight impunity and uphold accountability for the most serious crimes.

In a vote held simultaneously with the General Assembly, the Security Council today elected Xue Hanqin of China, by secret ballot, to the International Court of Justice to fill the remainder of the term left vacant by the resignation of Judge, Vice-President and former President of the Court, Shi Jiuyong of China.

The peace process in the Central African Republic had reached a critical stage, with progress hinged on the successful holding of elections and the completion of the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of some 8,000 former combatants, both of which had so far met with delay, the Security Council heard today.