SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES LIBYA’S ANNOUNCEMENT ON WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION

The following statement was issued Saturday, 20 December, by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

Security Council

4888^th Meeting (PM)

SECURITY COUNCIL BRIEFED BY CHAIRS OF COMMITTEES, WORKING GROUP

ON EFFECTIVENESS OF SANCTIONS

As the Security Council heard briefings by the heads of its committees and working groups this afternoon, the representative of Cameroon and Chairman of the Working Group on General Issues of Sanctions emphasized the importance of regularly assessing such coercive measures.

SECRETARY-GENERAL DISTRESSED BY LANDSLIDE, FLOOD DAMAGE

IN PHILIPPINES, SAYS UN STANDS READY TO HELP

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

Security Council

4890^th Meeting (PM)

SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION DISSOLVES COMMITTEE OVERSEEING BANS

ON LIBERIA, SETS UP NEW BODY TO OVERSEE EMBARGOES

Adoption of New Text Aimed at Reflecting Changed

Security Council

4889^th Meeting (PM)

SECURITY COUNCIL EXTENDS MANDATE OF FORCE SUPERVISING

ISRAEL-SYRIA CEASEFIRE UNTIL 30 JUNE 2004

Fifty-eighth General Assembly

Plenary

77^th Meeting (PM)

HUMAN RIGHTS AND TERRORISM, ACCESS TO MEDICATION, RIGHTS TO FOOD, HEALTH AMONG ISSUES

ADDRESSED, AS GENERAL ASSEMBLY ADOPTS 70 THIRD COMMITTEE TEXTS

GOVERNMENT OF PHILIPPINES REQUESTS AID AFTER DISASTER

NEW YORK, 22 December (OCHA) -- Following flooding, landslides, and a tornado in the central part of the Philippines, the Government has requested international assistance.  Medicines, food, including canned goods and other food, toiletries, sleeping mats, mosquito nets and blankets are the most needed items.

Security Council

4891^st Meeting (PM)

SECURITY COUNCIL REAFFIRMS FULL SUPPORT FOR BURUNDI

PEACE PROCESS, IN PRESIDENTIAL STATEMENT

Reaffirming its full support for the Arusha peace process in Burundi, the Security Council this afternoon endorsed recent political developments concerning that country.

PRESS STATEMENT ON GUINEA-BISSAU BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

The following press statement was delivered today by Security Council President Stefan Tafrov (Bulgaria):

INTERNATIONAL EXPERTS CONDEMN CURBS ON FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION,

CONTROL OVER MEDIA, JOURNALISTS

(Reissued as received.)

GENEVA, 19 December (UN Information Service) -- Three international experts on freedom of expression and the media have condemned limitations on freedom of expression and attempts to control the media through non-independent regulatory mechanisms.