Security Council

The Security Council today called on the Syrian Government to follow through on its pledge to pull back its military from population centres by 10 April, and on all parties subsequently to cease armed violence, while signalling its readiness to authorize a monitoring mission to the strife-torn country — or to “consider further steps” if the commitments were not met.

The following Security Council press statement was issued on 5 April by Council President Susan Rice (United States):

Strongly condemning assaults by rebels in northern Mali and the seizure of power in the capital by elements of the armed forces, the Security Council called today for the immediate restoration of constitutional rule, demanding the safe release of all detainees, as well as an end to all hostilities in the north and a peaceful resolution of all issues through dialogue.

On 2 April 2012, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1970 (2011) concerning Libya updated the entries specified below to its List of Individuals and Entities subject to the travel ban and/or asset freeze.

Introducing the Security Council programme of work for the April presidency of the United States today, the country’s Permanent Representative said control of nuclear weapons and illicit cross-border traffic would be highlighted alongside the conflicts in Syria, Mali and elsewhere. “The greatest danger that we and all States around the world face is a nuclear weapon or nuclear material falling into the hands of terrorists,” said Susan Rice.

On 30 March 2012, the Security Council Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee decided to remove the name of the one individual below from the Al-Qaida Sanctions List after concluding its consideration of a de-listing request submitted through the Ombudsperson established pursuant to Security Council resolution 1904 (2009), and after considering the Comprehensive Report of the Ombudsperson on this de-listing request.

The following Security Council press statement was issued on 31 March by Council President Mark Lyall Grant (United Kingdom):

Welcoming what it deemed a nationally led transition process to a just and democratic political system in Yemen but expressing concern over deteriorating relations among political actors, the Security Council today called for a continued commitment in the country to constitutional order, non-violence and a process that included all segments of society.

Security sector reform and speedy, credible elections in Guinea-Bissau were critical for national and international efforts to restore constitutional order following the death of President Malam Bacai Sanhá in January, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative told the Security Council this morning.

The situation between the Palestinians and Israel remained “uncertain and difficult” amid dim prospects for the resumption of direct negotiations despite international urging that exploratory talks continue under Jordanian auspices, the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process told the Security Council today.