SECRETARY-GENERAL TO REPORT ON IMPLEMENTATION OF LIBYA RESOLUTION TO SECURITY COUNCIL

• The Secretary-General will be delivering his mandated 7-day report on the implementation of Resolution 1973 regarding Libya to the Security Council this afternoon in an open meeting, to be followed by consultations.

• After the consultations, the Secretary-General will go to the Security Council stakeout to brief correspondents on the meeting and on his recent trip to the Middle East and North Africa.

• Earlier today, the Council received a briefing on Sierra Leone by Michael von der Schulenburg, the Secretary-General’s Executive Representative for that country. He said that Sierra Leone, which was once a symbol of a failed state, is now evolving into a democratic, peaceful and prosperous nation.

• Also speaking at the Council were Ambassador John McNee of Canada, who chairs the Sierra Leone Peacebuilding Commission Country Configuration, and Joseph Dauda, the Foreign Minister of Sierra Leone.

• Asked about how the Secretary-General was received during his recent visits to Egypt and Tunisia, the Spokesperson said that he was extremely well received in both countries.  He said the Secretary-General had energetic exchanges in particular with young people in both Egypt and Tunisia, describing these discussions as healthy. Nesirky said that people are now at liberty to express their views in an unfettered way in these countries.

• In response to a question on further means to ensure the Libyan authorities’ compliance with Resolution 1973, he said that the text specifically excluded foreign occupation force of any form on any part of Libyan territory. Nesirky added that Resolution 1973 aims to protect civilians and to put an end to the violence as soon as possible.

• Asked about a UN humanitarian team in Libya, Nesirky said that the Humanitarian Coordinator for Libya, Rashid Khalikov, had already been to the country and reported back. However, he added, that the envisaged humanitarian assessment team had not yet been able to go to Libya, as all the necessary factors were not in place.

• The Spokesperson noted the concerns of the UN about the fate of civilians in Libya.

CÔTE D’IVOIRE: U.N. MISSION SAYS POST-ELECTORAL VIOLENCE DEATH TOLL CLIMBS TO 462

• The UN Mission in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) says that the number of deaths due to post-electoral violence in the country is now up to 462. That is the total number since mid-December verified by the Mission.

• The Mission also said today that large numbers of civilians continued to leave Abobo, Williamsville, Yopougon and other parts of Abidjan because of fighting and of lack of food and medication.

• UNOCI has again reminded all actors of the post-electoral crisis that systematic attacks against civilians could constitute crimes against humanity.

SECRETARY-GENERAL SIGNS PETITION TO END NUCLEAR THREAT

• At a “Mayors for Peace” event this morning, the Secretary-General added his name to a petition containing some one million signatures demanding an end to the threat of nuclear weapons.

• He said that together we can rid the world of nuclear weapons and answer the call of hibakusha, the survivors of nuclear attacks on Japan in 1945.

• The event was held to dedicate an exhibit that showcases the petitions.

BAN KI-MOON URGES VIGILANCE TO MAINTAIN GAINS IN FIGHT AGAINST TUBERCULOSIS

• In his message for World Tuberculosis Day, the Secretary-General says that the recent adoption of a fast and powerful new diagnostic tool promises to speed up global gains made against the disease.

• But he cautions that the progress made could be lost if we are not vigilant, noting that TB care still fails to reach everyone in need.

• Access to quality health care is a basic human right, the Secretary-General stresses, calling for action to carry out the Stop TB Strategy everywhere, for all who need it.

• The Secretary-General’s call was echoed by World Health Organization (WHO), which is calling on world leaders to step up their commitment and contributions to meet the goal of diagnosing and treating one million people with multidrug-resistant TB between 2011 and 2015.

HAITI: U.N. MISSION INVESTIGATING DEADLY INCIDENT INVOLVING PEACEKEEPERS

• Asked about an incident involving peacekeepers in Haiti in which one man died, the Spokesperson said that on the morning of elections day, in Dessalines in the Artibonite Department, a group of 50 to 60 unidentified armed men attempted to attack a polling centre. He said the UN peacekeepers guarding the centre had no choice but to use force in order to protect the centre and the civilians who were at threat.

• Nesirky noted that, according to their rules of engagement, the peacekeepers used all peaceful means to try to dissuade the group from progressing toward the centre. As the group kept progressing, peacekeepers issued halt calls and fired several rounds of warning shots, he added.

• He said that the peacekeepers were then engaged by the assailants and had no choice but to fire back in self defence in order to protect the centre and the civilians. Nesirky also said that the assailants dispersed and fled and that the attack was repulsed.

• During the exchange of fire, one individual was hit by a bullet and wounded, said the Spokesperson. He added that the peacekeepers provided immediate medical assistance and transportation to the closest hospital but that the individual later died from his wounds. As it is the case when there is any loss of life, Nesirky noted, the UN Mission there (MINUSTAH) has launched an investigation to determine the exact circumstances of the incident.