The new Permanent Representative of Mozambique to the United Nations, Daniel António, today presented his credentials to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

The new Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations, Cesare Maria Ragaglini, today presented his credentials to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki‑moon.

The new head of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) delegation to the United Nations, Marwan Jilani, presented his letter of appointment today to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

8 October 2009

Secretary-GeneralSG/SM/12530 DEV/2762 OBV/818

Department of Public Information • News and Media Division • New York

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Targeted sanctions could be an effective way to deal with “spoilers” in Somalia, but the approach must be flexible enough to allow them to change course and work for peace, B. Lynn Pascoe, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, told the Security Council this morning.

Expressing its strong concern over the increase in violence and criminality in Afghanistan, the Security Council today extended the authorization for the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) for 12 months beyond 13 October 2009. As its members unanimously adopted resolution 1890 (2009), the Council also called on Member States to contribute personnel, equipment and other resources in order to allow ISAF to meet security and assistance challenges.

During its resumed substantive session for 2009, the Economic and Social Council this afternoon elected by secret ballot Jorge Montano (Mexico) to serve effective immediately as a member of the International Narcotics Control Board until 1 March 2012. Mr. Montano was elected to replace Maria Elena Medina-Mora Icaza (Mexico), who resigned. He received 40 of 46 votes. Two delegates who were present abstained from the voting.

Pressed to conclude their work by 2010, top officials from the war crimes Tribunals investigating atrocities committed during the 1994 Rwandan genocide and the Balkan wars of the 1990s, today appealed to the General Assembly for more time, resources and compensation for staff who were throwing their full weight behind the pursuit of justice for victims.

The following Security Council press statement on Afghanistan was read out today by Council President Le Luong Minh (Viet Nam):