SECRETARY-GENERAL STRONGLY CONDEMNS DEADLY WEST JERUSALEM BOMB ATTACK

• The Secretary-General strongly condemns a bomb attack today adjacent to a bus stop in West Jerusalem, which has reportedly killed one woman and injured over thirty Israeli civilians, some of them seriously. Such attacks are unacceptable. The Secretary-General is deeply concerned and calls for an immediate cessation of acts of terrorism and violence against civilians in order to prevent further escalation and loss of life.

• Asked about the death of Palestinian civilians yesterday in Gaza, the Spokesperson said that the Secretary-General was greatly concerned over the escalation of violence in Gaza and southern Israel. He added that the Secretary-General, in a statement issued yesterday, had condemned the killing and injury of Palestinian civilians in Israeli military actions as well as indiscriminate rocket fire against Israeli civilians by Palestinian militants. Nesirky added that his envoy, Robert Serry, was in close contact with all to promote restraint and a de-escalation of the tense situation.

BAN KI-MOON CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION INTO KILLING OF PROTESTERS IN SYRIA

• The Secretary-General condemns the violence against peaceful demonstrators in the southern Syrian city of Deraa, which resulted in several killed and many more injured today and yesterday. There should be a transparent investigation into the killings, and those responsible must be held accountable. The Secretary-General reiterates his call on the Syrian authorities to refrain from violence and to abide by their international commitments regarding human rights, including the right to peaceful assembly. He reminds the Syrian Government of its obligation to protect civilians, and of its responsibility to address the legitimate aspirations of its people through a purposeful dialogue and reforms.

SECRETARY-GENERAL CALLS ON LIBYAN PARTIES TO IMMEDIATELY END VIOLENCE AGAINST CIVILIANS

• The Secretary-General condemns the continued use of force in the western part of Libya, including Zintan and Misrata. Once again, he reiterates his call for an immediate end to violence by all parties, in accordance with Security Council resolutions 1970 and 1973, and for the responsibility to protect civilians. All those who violate international humanitarian and human rights law will be held fully accountable.

• Asked about civilian casualties due to the air strikes, the Spokesperson said that the United Nations had not been able so far to verify these reports. He said that any loss of life was to be regretted and added that the aim of Resolution 1973 was to protect civilians.

• In response to a question on China’s and Russia’s position on the air strikes, Nesirky said that these two countries were member of the Security Council and could raise their points of view in that forum, if they so wished.

UPON RETURN FROM REGION, SECRETARY-GENERAL TO BRIEF SECURITY COUNCIL ON LIBYA

• The Secretary-General is on his way back to New York from Tunisia.

• Last night, he told reporters in Tunis that Tunisia has a map for the path ahead toward a democratic transition. The United Nations will work with Tunisia if it requests that.

• He also spoke about Libya, saying that the international community has acted to save lives there after the country’s leader was deliberately and indiscriminately killing his own people. Security Council resolution 1973 significantly advances the doctrine of the responsibility to protect, he said.

• The Secretary-General intends to brief the Security Council on developments in Libya, as well as on his visit to Egypt and Tunisia, tomorrow afternoon.

• At approximately 4:40 p.m. tomorrow, the Secretary-General is expected to address the press at the stakeout following his briefing to the Security Council.

TWO PEACEKEEPERS WOUNDED IN WEST DARFUR AMBUSH

• The UN-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) has confirmed that two of its peacekeepers received multiple gunshot wounds when they were ambushed yesterday while driving in West Darfur.
  Unknown assailants opened fire on the peacekeepers’ vehicle in Masteri, near El Geneina, the main town in West Darfur. The peacekeepers were seriously injured but are both now in stable condition.
  The Joint AU-UN Special Representative in Darfur, Ibrahim Gambari, has voiced outrage at the attack. Mr. Gambari says the Mission remains undaunted and its commitment to fulfill its mandate is unwavering.  He also calls on the Sudanese Government to bring the perpetrators to justice.

UNITED NATIONS RELEASES NEW REPORT ON EAST JERUSALEM

• The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has launched a new report on East Jerusalem. This is the first UN report to offer a comprehensive review of the humanitarian impact of Israeli policies on Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem.

• Among other areas, the report highlights the vulnerability of East Jerusalem’s Palestinian residents in accessing basic services such as education and health.

GLOBAL WHEAT PRODUCTION SET TO INCREASE, SAYS U.N. AGRICULTURAL AGENCY

• The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) forecasts that global wheat production will climb 3.4 per cent this year.

• Wheat plantings in many countries have increased or are expected to increase this year in response to strong prices, while yield recoveries are predicted in areas affected by drought last year, such as Russia.

• However, since the bulk of the world’s coarse grains and paddy crops have not yet been planted, it is too early to forecast total cereal production for 2011.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

SECURITY COUNCIL MEETS ON PEACEBUILDING: The Security Council held a meeting this morning in which it discussed post-conflict peacebuilding.

NO NOTIFICATION RECEIVED ON NEW YEMENI AMBASSADOR: The Spokesperson was asked yesterday about the Permanent Representative for Yemen. In response, he said today that the United Nations Secretariat has not received any official notification regarding a new Permanent Representative for Yemen and we have not received any official notification from the Mission regarding the resignation of the current Permanent Representative.

SUDAN: U.N. MISSION INVESTIGATING REPORTS OF AERIAL BOMBINGS: Asked about aerial bombings in Sudan, the Spokesperson noted that the UN Mission there, UNMIS, had received reports of aerial bombings by the Sudanese Armed Forces on 21 and 22 March in Firka and Timsaha in Northern Bahr El-Ghazal State.  The Mission is investigating these reports, he said.