The Secretary-General condemns the terrorist attack on the convoy of Syrian Prime Minister Wael al-Halqi in Damascus earlier today, which resulted in deaths and injuries. He expresses his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wishes those injured a speedy recovery. He has consistently condemned all acts of terrorism, and says the targeting of civilians by anyone is unacceptable.

Palestine refugees in Syria are being killed, injured and displaced in greater numbers than ever. Amid reports that significant numbers of refugees may be trapped without adequate shelter near Aleppo, where intense fighting rages, the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine appeals for a halt to the human suffering.

It had been 40 days since Syria had requested an independent investigation into possible chemical weapons use by opposition forces in the northern city of Khan al-Assal on 19 March, noted its Ambassador today, adding that his Government “might consider” broadening the investigation if France and the United Kingdom provided evidence for their claims and only after a credible and transparent probe was conducted in line with Syria’s request.

Following the surge in violence in Iraq this past week, with many people killed and hundreds injured, the Secretary-General calls on Iraqi Security Forces to exercise the utmost restraint in maintaining law and order, and demonstrators to preserve the peaceful nature of their protests. He also urges political leaders to engage in inclusive dialogue to overcome the deep political crisis the country is facing.

The Security Council would focus on African issues in May, including a debate on the fight against terrorism in the continent, Kodjo Menan, Permanent Representative of Togo to the United Nations, said today, as he assumed the Council presidency for this month.

On World Press Freedom Day, the Secretary-General, at a special event at Headquarters, highlighted the violence journalists faced worldwide - with many killed and hundreds detained – and said all journalists, across all media, needed to be able to do their vital work. “When it is safe to speak, the whole world benefits,” he said.

The Secretary-General and the Israeli Justice Minister and Chief Negotiator in the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, Tzipi Livni, meeting yesterday, discussed the current state of play of the peace process, as well as regional developments, in particular, in Syria. The Secretary-General encouraged resumption of credible negotiations.

The Security Council is receiving an update on the situation in Abyei from the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations. The fatal attack and the wounding of two peacekeepers there this weekend prove again how vital it is for the Governments of Sudan and South Sudan to resolve the final status of the area.

The Secretary-General strongly condemns the detention of four peacekeepers, who were members of the Force monitoring the disengagement agreement between Israel and Syria and were taken by armed elements in the vicinity of Al Jamla in the area of limitation. He calls for their immediate release, and for all parties to respect the Force’s freedom of movement and safety.

Of statements made Tuesday about Syria by Russia's Foreign Minister and the United States Secretary of State, Joint Special Representative Lakhdar Brahimi said this is the first hopeful news concerning that unhappy country in a very long time. He called on the Security Council and Secretary-General to carry the process forward.