Security Council

Tougher sanctions and deeper diplomatic efforts would be essential in settling differences over Iran’s nuclear programme, Security Council members heard today during a briefing by the head of its sanctions committee on that country.

The Security Council today stated its readiness to adopt targeted sanctions against parties that persistently violated the rights of children in armed conflict, strongly condemning their recruitment, killing, maiming, sexual abuse, abduction and denial of aid, as well as attacks on schools and hospitals, ahead of a debate on the topic that drew some 60 speakers.

Welcoming significant political progress in Somalia that had led to the selection of a new President, the Security Council this morning called for the formation of an inclusive Government, the definition of post-transition priorities and the bolstering of security, peacebuilding, anti-corruption and anti-piracy efforts, in coordination with continued international support.

The top United Nations official dealing with the Middle East peace process told the Security Council today that the financial and economic crises currently crippling the Palestinian Authority were a “sobering manifestation” of the risk that the ongoing political stalemate between Israelis and Palestinians, as well as the ongoing occupation, posed to the very viability of the two-State solution.

The kinds of stress factors tearing at Mali’s social and political fabric reflected the deep-seated fragilities stretching across the broader Sahel region, and it was critical for the international community to commit to dealing effectively with the underlying structural causes of that vulnerability, the Security Council was told today.

Commending Liberia for its successful elections in 2011 and encouraging its efforts to further national reconciliation and economic recovery, the Security Council this morning extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) for one year, until 30 September 2013, reducing its military strength in three phases and authorizing the Secretary-General to implement the first phase of that reduction — 1,900 personnel — between October 2012 and September 2013.

The Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1521 (2003) concerning Liberia decided on 14 September 2012 to delist the following individual from the list of individuals subject to the travel restrictions imposed by paragraph 4 (a) of resolution 1521 (2003) (the travel ban list) and the list of individuals and entities subject to the measures imposed by paragraph 1 of resolution 1532 (2004) (the assets freeze list).

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Peter Wittig (Germany):

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Peter Wittig (Germany):

Strongly condemning last night’s attack that killed the United States Ambassador to Libya, the top United Nations political official warned the Security Council today that the horrific event was evidence of a persistent security vacuum and a sobering reminder of the many serious challenges that must be confronted by all those committed to supporting the North African country’s transformation.