The following Security Council press statement on the Framework Agreement for the Resolution of the Conflict in Darfur was read out today by Council President Gérard Araud (France):

Welcoming the steps taken by the Iraqi Government to support the international non-proliferation regime and adhere to global disarmament standards, the United Nations Security Council today underlined its readiness to consider lifting the trade sanctions it imposed on Iraq following Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait in 1990, including on materials that were capable of being used for chemical and biological weapons or ballistic missiles.

Recognizing the important role of the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) in promoting peace, stability and development in the nascent South-East Asian nation, the Security Council today extended the Mission’s mandate until 26 February 2011 at current levels, while endorsing the Secretary-General’s intention to reconfigure its police component, including its drawdown, in line with the phased resumption process of policing responsibilities by the national police.

On 1 March, the Security Council Al-Qaida and Taliban Sanctions Committee approved the deletion (de-listing) of the two entries specified below from its Consolidated List. The assets freeze and arms embargo set out in paragraph 1 of Security Council resolution 1904 (2009) therefore no longer apply to the following two entities:

The Security Council committee monitoring the implementation of sanctions on Iran was continuing to explore options for an effective response to a pattern of repeated violations, its Chairman told the Council this morning.

Guinea-Bissau was experiencing a relatively stable political environment and growing international attention, which offered the country an unprecedented window of opportunity that should not be missed, the senior United Nations official in the country told the Security Council today.

The following Security Council press statement on Guinea-Bissau was read out today by Council President Emanuel Issoze-Ngondet (Gabon):

The following Security Council press statement on the Iraq elections was issued today:

“If not now, then when? If the Council does not act, then who will?” asked Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia, today as he called on the international community to take immediate action to stabilize the situation in that country.

The Security Council today extended until 31 December 2010 the arrangements for depositing into the Development Fund for Iraq of proceeds from oil and gas export sales. The mandate of the International Advisory and Monitoring Board intended to monitor the Development Fund was also extended.