The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Valerie Amos, will visit Syria and Lebanon from tomorrow to Thursday to underscore the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Syria and the conflict’s impact on the people of Syria and those who have fled to Lebanon and to neighbouring countries.

The Secretary-General is seriously concerned about delays in the selection of the new Somali Parliament, and recent acts of intimidation and violence. In a statement we issued last night, he called upon the Somali political leadership, the traditional elders and other parties to act in the best interest of the Somali people.

The President of the Security Council read a press statement today, in which the members of the Council condemned in the strongest terms the attack by unidentified armed men on a community police centre of the UN-African Union mission in Darfur, in which one peacekeeper was killed and another injured.

The Secretary-General is on his way back to New York from his visits to the Republic of Korea and Timor-Leste. He wrapped up his second day in Timor-Leste by focusing on education and a new global initiative he plans to launch formally next month in New York during the general debate, stressing that the world needs a bold new push for education.

The Secretary-General of the United Nations is pleased, along with Secretary-General Nabil Elaraby of the League of Arab States, to announce the appointment today of Lakhdar Brahimi as their Joint Special Representative for Syria, appreciating his willingness to bring his considerable talents and experience to this crucial task.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, along with the Secretary General of the League of Arab States, Nabil ElAraby, announced the appointment today of Nasser Al-Kidwa as their Deputy Joint Special Representative for Syria. Mr. Al-Kidwa brings to the position his deep knowledge, in addition to his involvement in peacemaking efforts on Syria as Deputy to their Joint Special Envoy, Kofi Annan.

The end of the United Nations observer mission in Syria would not significantly impact humanitarian activities there, but more generous funding support was needed, the Organization’s top humanitarian affairs official said at a Headquarters new conference today.

The Secretary-General will visit Tehran from 29 to 31 August to participate in the Sixteenth Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement. He looks forward to the Summit as an opportunity to work with the participating Heads of State and Government, including the host country, towards solutions on issues that are central to the global agenda.

A senior UN official told Lebanon’s Interior Minister in Beirut today that the Organization has been closely following with concern the recent security incidents in the country, particularly the kidnappings. Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon Robert Watkins also expressed deep regret for the loss of life in the city of Tripoli.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees reports that the total number of Syrian refugees registered or awaiting registration has surpassed 200,000. The refugees are located in Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq. Turkey continues to host the largest number, about 75,000 to date.