Noon briefing of 4 May 2011

I.C.C. PROSECUTOR TO SEEK ARREST WARRANTS AGAINST THREE LIBYAN OFFICIALS

• Luis Moreno Ocampo, the Prosecutor for the International Criminal Court, told the Security Council this morning that the evidence shows that security forces in Libya have been shooting at peaceful demonstrators. He says credible information provides an estimate of 500 to 600 people dying in February alone.
  

• The Prosecutor added that, in the coming weeks, he will request that arrest warrants be issued against the three individuals who bear the greatest criminal responsibility for crimes against humanity committed in Libya.
  

• On Tuesday afternoon, the Security Council received an update on Libya from the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy, Abdul Ilah al-Khatib, who said that intense fighting has expanded into the south and west of the country.
  

• Mr. Khatib said that both sides have expressed their agreement with the need for a verifiable ceasefire and he is working with experts in the United Nations and with representatives of regional organizations, especially the African Union, on the specific modalities which could be involved.
  

• Asked about international efforts to deal with Libya, the Spokesperson said that Mr. Khatib was helping to coordinate efforts among the international community on that matter. He noted that the International Contact Group on Libya would meet in Rome later this week.
  

• Asked about the cease-fire, the Spokesperson noted that both sides had agreed to the principle of a cease-fire but had set conditions that were mutually exclusive. The Special Envoy will continue to coordinate with other actors to move ahead in obtaining a cease-fire.

HUMANITARIAN CONDITIONS REMAIN DIRE IN LIBYA

• The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says that the humanitarian situation in parts of Libya continues to be of concern. Fighting continues in several locations in Libya – many of which are densely populated. Concerns remain about civilians who have no access to basic services including clean water, medical care and basic commodities, especially in and near areas where heavy fighting is taking place.
  

• The situation in Misrata remains of particular concern, the Office says; there has been almost continuous intense fighting for more than six weeks. In some parts of the city, while stocks are available, the violence has limited access to food, water and other basic supplies, and medical facilities are short of supplies and trained personnel.
  

• However, aid groups have been able to deliver assistance. As of 2 May, more than a dozen aid ships had docked at Misrata, evacuating around 12,000 people and delivering more than 3,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid. In addition, an additional 1,000 migrants will be evacuated by ship today and 180 tonnes of food, water and infant supplies will be delivered.

SECRETARY-GENERAL HAS SPOKEN TO SYRIAN PRESIDENT, CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION INTO KILLINGS DURING PROTESTS

• The Secretary-General had a telephone conversation today with Bashar al-Assad, the President of the Syrian Arab Republic, the Spokesperson said in response to questions about human rights in Syria.
  

• The Secretary-General reiterated his calls for an immediate end to violence against and mass arrests of peaceful demonstrators in Syria, and for an independent investigation of all killings that happened during the protests, including the alleged killing of military and security officers. He noted the need to respect the human rights of the population.
  

• The Secretary-General also encouraged full and early implementation of all the reform measures announced by the Syrian Government, and emphasized the importance of engaging a genuine inclusive dialogue and a comprehensive reform process.
  

• The Secretary-General emphasized that the humanitarian needs of the population should be urgently met. Expressing deep concern at the humanitarian implications of the latest developments in a number of Syrian towns, he called on President Assad to immediately grant access to the United Nations in order to assess the humanitarian needs of the affected civilian population. The Secretary-General appreciated President Assad’s willingness to consider such an assessment to Deraa.

SECRETARY-GENERAL HAS WRITTEN TO U.S. PRESIDENT ON OSAMA BIN LADEN’S DEATH

• Asked whether the Secretary-General has met with US officials following Osama bin Laden’s death, the Spokesperson said that the Secretary-General has written to President Barack Obama and had spoken on Monday with US Ambassador Susan Rice. He noted that the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, had said that the United Nations could usefully receive further information about the operation.
  

• Asked further about reactions to Osama bin Laden’s death, the Spokesperson noted that the Secretary-General said earlier this week that the United Nations will continue to fight against terrorism.
  

• The United Nations has repeatedly condemned in the strongest possible terms terrorism in all its forms, and it will continue to work together with Member States to completely eradicate global terrorism

SECRETARY-GENERAL SUPPORTS EFFORTS FOR PALESTINIAN UNITY, IN THE FRAMEWORK OF PAST COMMITMENTS

• The Spokesperson issued a statement on Tuesday night concerning the signing of the Palestinian unity agreement in Cairo today.
  

• The Secretary-General has continually supported efforts for unity and the work of Egypt and President Mahmoud Abbas in this regard, bearing in mind Security Council resolutions 1850 and 1860.
  

• He wishes to see unity in the framework of the positions of the Quartet and the commitments of the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Arab Peace Initiative. The Secretary-General therefore strongly appeals to all Palestinian parties to commit to these principles.

HUMAN RIGHTS CHIEF WELCOMES REPORT BY COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO KYRGYZSTAN VIOLENCE

• High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay has welcomed the newly-published report by the Kyrgyzstan Inquiry Commission into the deadly inter-ethnic violence in the country last summer.
  

• She urges the Kyrgyz Government to act quickly on the report’s recommendations that it carry out further investigations.
  

• Ms. Pillay stresses that there can be no lasting reconciliation without justice, and that the new report sets out a viable pathway to achieve both.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

SECRETARY-GENERAL MET SRI LANKAN AMBASSADOR, EMPHASIZED NEED FOR INVESTIGATIONS: In response to questions, the Spokesperson said that the Secretary-General had met on Tuesday with the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations, and said that it would be in Sri Lanka’s interest to consider the recommendations of the report by the Panel of Experts on accountability in Sri Lanka. The Secretary-General also said that Sri Lanka has a commitment to ensure the protection of UN personnel and premises in the country.

SECRETARY-GENERAL RECEIVES FINAL REPORT OF PANEL OF EXPERTS ON HAITI CHOLERA EPIDEMIC: The Secretary-General met on Tuesday with the Independent Panel of Experts which investigated the cholera epidemic in Haiti and he has received their final report. The Secretary-General’s Special Representative, Edmond Mulet, will transmit that report to the Government of Haiti today, and once that has been done, the full report will be made public.