Security Council

Against a backdrop of growing concern about the nature of Iran’s nuclear programme, and amid questions of transparency surrounding the non-publication of a report by an expert panel, the Chair of the Security Council Committee created to monitor compliance with sanctions imposed on Iran said today that it was considering holding an open briefing to discuss its mandate and activities.

Reaffirming its full commitment to the consolidation of peace and stability in Guinea-Bissau, the Security Council today extended the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in that country until 28 February 2013.

Reaffirming that staff retention was essential for the completion of the work of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, the Security Council this morning extended the terms of office of four judges of the Trial Chamber until 30 June 2012 or sooner if their trials were completed.

“The transition process in Yemen is moving forward with the participation of all sides,” the Special Adviser dealing with the situation in that troubled country said at Headquarters today, adding that the United Nations would continue to support the 10-day old unity Government as it implemented a landmark power-transfer accord that would “hopefully steer the country towards stability and reform”.

The Security Council, concerned at the security vacuum in many parts of the Central African Republic and of reports of continued human rights violations there, today extended the mandate of the United Nations Peacebuilding Office in that country (BINUCA) until 31 January 2013.

Delivering the year’s last scheduled Security Council briefing on the Middle East situation, a senior United Nations official said today that “credible progress in the search for peace between Israel and the Palestinians is more urgent than ever, but remains elusive in a context of tensions on the ground, deep mistrust between the parties, and volatile regional dynamics”.

Welcoming Burundi’s progress towards peace, stability and development, yet noting continuing human rights violations with grave concern, the Security Council decided today to extend the mandate of the United Nations mission in that country for another year.

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Vitaly Churkin (Russian Federation):

The international community’s commitment to enduring engagement with Afghanistan through its transition and transformation — voiced at the Bonn Conference on 5 December — was the subject of a presidential statement and a debate in the Security Council today.

On 30 November 2011, the Security Council Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee adopted revised Guidelines for the Conduct of its Work. The Guidelines were revised in compliance with paragraph 43 of Security Council resolution 1989 (2011), which directed the Committee “as a matter of priority, to review its guidelines with respect to the provisions of [that] resolution”.