Security Council

Bosnia and Herzegovina continued to make progress toward “a peaceful, viable State, irreversibly on course for our European integration”, but was hampered in that effort by divisive partisan rhetoric, Valentin Inzko, High Representative for the Balkan country told the Security Council today.

The Chairs of the three committees created by the Security Council to enforce its counter-terrorism measures and related sanctions stressed today that coordination between the panels, regular “stocktaking” of their working methods, and strong backing from United Nations Member States were of key importance in ensuring effective and efficient implementation of their respective mandates.

Condemning the recent resurgence in fighting in Somalia, the Security Council today authorized the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) peacekeeping force there to maintain its existing mandate until 31 January 2010.

The following Security Council press statement on Myanmar was read out today by Council President Vitaly Churkin ( Russian Federation):

The Security Council this afternoon condemned the recent renewal in fighting in Somalia led by Al-Shabaab and other extremists, which constituted an attempt to remove the legitimate Transitional Federal Government there, and demanded that opposition groups immediately end their offensive, put down their arms, renounce violence and join reconciliation efforts.

The Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 751 (1992) concerning Somalia adopted, on 11 May 2009, consolidated, revised guidelines for the conduct of its work.

The following Security Council press statement on Sri Lanka was read out today by Council President Vitaly Churkin (Russian Federation):

The international community had a “unique opportunity” to help the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia establish peace and security, speakers emphasized today as the Security Council heard a series of briefings on the situation in that country by senior United Nations officials.

On 12 May 2009, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1521 (2003) concerning Liberia approved the inclusion of additional information concerning two individuals: Victoria Refell (travel ban list only) and Edwin Snowe, Jr. (travel ban and assets freeze lists).

The Security Council reiterated today its call for renewed and urgent efforts by the parties and the international community to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East, based on the vision of a region where two democratic States, Israel and Palestine, would live side by side in peace within secure and recognized borders.