Security Council

The Security Council today extended terms of office for 17 permanent and ad litem judges of the Trial and Appeals Chambers at the International Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia until 31 December 2014, or completion of the cases assigned to them, if sooner.

The Security Council today extended the mandate of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) for six months, until 30 June 2014, as ongoing military activities in the area of separation could jeopardize the ceasefire between Israel and Syria, posing risk to civilians and peacekeeping personnel alike.

The Security Council today expressed growing concern about the serious threats posed by drug trafficking and related transnational organized crime to international peace and stability in West Africa and the Sahel region.

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Gérard Araud (France):

The Security Council decided today that the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) would continue to operate as a special political mission until 31 December 2017, under the policy guidance of the Counter-Terrorism Committee.

In spite of the praiseworthy efforts made by the leaders of West Africa, the region remained fragile and would require the ongoing support of the international community, the United Nations envoy for the region said in a briefing to the Security Council today.

Despite temporary setbacks, Afghanistan’s political and security transition was on track as the Central Asian country sought to emerge from conflict and complete such work by the end of 2014, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative told the Security Council this morning, stressing that predictability would be essential to building confidence in the future.

While 2013 had tested the international community’s commitment to breaking the deadlock between Israel and the Palestinians, 2014 could see a moment of truth regarding a two-State solution, the United Nations official responsible for coordinating the peace process told the Security Council today.

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Gérard Araud ( France):

Expressing its grave concern at the worsening security situation and political divisions in Libya, the Security Council today reiterated its support for the North African country’s people and elected political institutions, underlining the importance of a single, inclusive national dialogue that could forge consensus around priorities for securing a transition to democracy.