Despite 15 years of steadily growing international attention to the question of protecting civilians in conflict situations, life in war zones around the world remained grim, with suffering “pushed to the limits” as cities turned into “death traps”, the Security Council heard today as it held an open debate on attacks against medical personnel and facilities.
The national dialogue just launched in South Sudan by President Salva Kiir would only be credible if opposition groups genuinely participated, the senior United Nations official in that country said today, as he briefed the Security Council on the significant military, humanitarian and political challenges facing that nation.
Unanimously adopting a resolution today that featured a new framework developed by its Counter-Terrorism Committee, the Security Council urged Member States to follow a number of concrete guidelines aimed at countering the narratives used by terrorist groups and amplifying positive and credible alternatives to audiences vulnerable to extremist messages.
The Security Council today renewed until 31 May 2018 a raft of sanctions, including a travel ban and asset freeze imposed by resolution 2206 (2015) on those designated to be blocking peace, security and stability in South Sudan.
The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Elbio Rosselli (Uruguay):
On 19 May 2017, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1970 (2011) concerning Libya held informal consultations to consider the final report of the Panel of Experts, submitted pursuant to paragraph 13 of resolution 2278 (2016).
The commanders of four United Nations peacekeeping missions briefed the Security Council this afternoon, emphasizing the need to “go beyond the traditional peacekeeping box” and overcome bureaucratic hurdles, as the Organization’s signature function adapted to ever-evolving challenges.
On 12 May, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2127 (2013) concerning the Central African Republic held informal consultations in connection with the progress update of the Panel of Experts and a briefing by the United Nations Mine Action Service in assisting the Central African Republic authorities in the management of weapons and ammunition.
The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Elbio Rosselli (Uruguay):
Initial findings from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) fact-finding mission in Syria had found evidence of sulfur mustard in samples taken from an alleged attack on 16 September 2016, while analysis of samples collected in relation to an alleged April incident in Khan Shaykhoun had revealed exposure to sarin or a sarin-like substance, the United Nations disarmament chief reported today.
