HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING
BY EDUARDO DEL BUEY,

DEPUTY SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON
 

WEDNESDAY, 18 JULY 2012

 

SECRETARY-GENERAL EXPRESSES APPRECIATION TO CHINA FOR U.N. ROLE

 

  • The Secretary-General met with President Hu Jintao and Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi in Beijing on Wednesday.
  • In those meetings, the Secretary-General expressed his appreciation for China’s leadership and active participation in the United Nations.
  • They discussed ways of addressing global challenges through collective action and multilateralism.
  • Following the meeting, the Secretary-General spoke to reporters about the discussions he had with the President and Foreign Minister on the situation in Syria.
  • He said he hoped that the members of the Security Council will be able to take collective action with a sense of unity.
  • The Secretary-General said we cannot go on this way. So many people have already lost their lives over the past 16 months.
  • He also met other Chinese leaders and spoke at an event to pay tribute to China's “Future We Want Champions”, saying that, if we continue on our present path for the next 20 years, we risk global catastrophe.
  • He said we need a new course that truly balances economic growth, social development and environmental stewardship.

 

U.N. ENVOY BRIEFS SECURITY COUNCIL ON LIBYA

 

  • The Security Council heard from Ian Martin, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Libya, about the work of the UN Mission in that country, in a formal meeting on Wednesday morning.
  • He said that, during Libya’s 7 July election, the spirit of democracy was displayed in a manner which deeply impressed all observers.
  • Where violence threatened the poll, it was the determination and the courage of the voters themselves which successfully resisted it.
  • Mr. Martin added that this will be the first peaceful and democratic transfer of power in Libya.
  • Its new political leaders must then reach agreement on the formation of a new government, and on the process for drawing up a new constitution.
  • At 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon, the Security Council was scheduled to hold a formal meeting on Syria followed by consultations on Côte d’Ivoire.

 

 UNITED NATIONS SEEKS MORE DETAILS ABOUT BLAST IN SYRIAN CAPITAL

 

  • Asked about a bomb blast today that reportedly killed several senior officials in Syria, the Spokesperson said that the Secretary-General is aware of the reports.
  • The United Nations is seeking more details from our mission in Damascus.
  • The Secretary-General has been very clear about the need for the violence to stop - from any quarter.
  • Asked whether a resolution concerning sanctions on Syria would be passed in the Security Council, the Spokesperson said that the Security Council would decide what action it will take.
  • For his part, the Secretary-General has been clear about the need for the Security Council to act and for the violence on all sides to end.
  • Del Buey reiterated the importance of adhering to the six-point peace plan, ending the violence and holding a dialogue that would involve all Syrians.

 

 

U.N. PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO SENDS REINFORCEMENTS TO TROUBLED EASTERN TOWN

 

  • On 16 July, armed elements of the rebel group, the Mayi-Mayi Raiya Mutomboki clashed with the national army of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in Walikale town, in North Kivu province.
  • The clashes caused a number of people to flee the area and seek refuge at the MONUSCO base in Walikale.
  • MONUSCO has sent immediate reinforcements from Goma to Walikale and is evacuating some UN and NGO staff who have sought refuge at the MONUSCO base in the town.
  • The Mission is also conducting extensive patrolling and attack helicopter sorties have been launched to deter further attacks.
  • The situation in Walikale town is tense

 

SECRETARY-GENERAL MARKS NELSON MANDELA INTERNATIONAL DAY

 

  • The Secretary-General has marked Nelson Mandela International Day by wishing the former South African president a happy 94th birthday.
  • In a message, the Secretary-General describes Mr. Mandela as a healer of nations and a mentor to generations of leaders and people from all walks of life throughout the world.
  • He says the former president gave 67 years of his life to bring change to the people of South Africa.
  • The Mayor of New York, Michael Bloomberg, also celebrated the day by announcing a series of events some of which have been arranged in collaboration with the United Nations Academic Impact.

 

 

 

“ROUTINE CHANGES” IN U.N. INTERIM FORCE IN LEBANON

 

  • Asked about the reported withdrawal of Spanish troops from the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), the Spokesperson said that there are often routine changes in the composition of troops from different contributing countries in the Mission.
  • This is a constant process in all UN peacekeeping missions, whereby troops from certain countries are reduced and other countries increase their participation or new troop contributing countries join.

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