Security Council

The Security Council this afternoon failed to adopt a resolution that would have condemned “grave and systematic human rights violations” in Syria, and would have warned of options for action to be considered against the Government of President Bashar al-Assad if the unfolding situation warranted, including measures under the section of the United Nations Charter that allowed sanctions.

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President U. Joy Ogwu (Nigeria):

Saying she expected a “good ride” for the Security Council this month, U. Joy Ogwu (Nigeria), its President for October, today outlined a programme of work comprising a varied mix of both new and routine agenda items. Briefing at a Headquarters press conference, she said that since the world was not static but dynamic, the work programme allowed for the addition of new items, to be dealt with as and when they arose.

On 4 October 2011, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1988 (2011) approved the addition of the three entries specified below to the Committee’s List (the 1988 Sanctions List) of individuals and entities subject to the assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo set out in paragraph 1 of Security Council resolution 1988 (2011).

Following the adoption by the Security Council of resolution 2009 (2011), the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1970 (2011) concerning the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya has made available on its website the updated list of individuals and entities subject to the travel ban and/or asset freeze, at the following URL: http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1970.

Reiterating its serious concern over continued fighting in Somalia and condemning attacks on both civilians and the Transitional Federal Government, the Security Council today extended its authorization of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) until 31 October 2012.

Declaring “peace is never smooth”, the senior United Nations official in Afghanistan assured the Security Council today that precious ground gained in taking the war-torn country’s transition and national reconciliation processes forward would not be undermined in the wake of last week’s shocking assassination of leading Afghan peace negotiator Burhanuddin Rabbani.

The Security Council today decided to refer the application of Palestine for admission to United Nations membership to its Committee on the Admission of New Members for “examination and report”.

Palestinian and Israeli positions remained far apart after a week of “intensive diplomacy”, but the existence of some “building blocks” — a clear timetable, expectations that the parties must put forward proposals and an active role by the Quartet — could make negotiations more effective, the senior United Nations political official told the Security Council today.

Reconciliation, arms control, transitional justice and the welfare of migrants were just a few of many challenges facing Libya’s transitional authorities, Under-Secretary-General B. Lynn Pascoe told the Security Council today, but he expressed confidence that they could be overcome with assistance provided from the new United Nations mission in the country.