Syria

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) condemns continuing ceasefire violations by two signatories of the Peace and Reconciliation Agreement — the CMA and the Plateforme.  The Head of MINUSMA urged the leadership of both groups to put an end to the violations immediately.

The Secretary-General yesterday strongly condemned the launch of a ballistic missile of possible intercontinental range conducted by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.  He said that the action is yet another brazen violation of Security Council resolutions and constitutes a dangerous escalation of the situation.

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres today announced the appointment of Catherine Marchi-Uhel of France as Head of the International Impartial and Independent Mechanism to Assist in the Investigation and Prosecution of Persons Responsible for the Most Serious Crimes under International Law Committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2011.

The Head of the United Nations Mission in Colombia told the Security Council today that, with the final handover of weapons by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People's Army’s (FARC-EP), the United Nations had been requested to establish a second mission aimed at verification and fostering cooperation.

The international community must stand up and halt the relentless, devastating humanitarian crisis in Syria, including by seizing the opportunity of the ongoing Astana talks and the related memorandum creating de-escalation zones, the senior United Nations humanitarian official stressed today as he briefed the Security Council.

Today, in a message to a forum being held by the Palestinian Rights Committee to mark 50 years of occupation, the Secretary-General said it was time to return to direct negotiations and resolve all final status issues on the basis of relevant United Nations resolutions, agreements and international law.

Three planes chartered by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have delivered 36 tons of life-saving medical and water purification supplies to Yemen to combat the outbreak of cholera which has surpassed 200,000 cases.  The supplies include oral rehydration salts to treat 10,000 people, as well as 10.5 million water purification tablets.

The Secretary-General condemns the series of suicide bombing attacks on 25 and 26 June in Maiduguri, Borno State, in Nigeria.  He extends his condolences to the people of Nigeria for the loss of life, and wishes a quick recovery to those injured and hopes that those responsible for this act will be swiftly brought to justice.