ARCHIVES
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SPOKESPERSON’S NOON BRIEFING
BY FARHAN HAQ, ACTING DEPUTY
SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON
MONDAY,
22 AUGUST 2011
U.N. STANDS READY TO PROMOTE ORDERLY TRANSITION IN LIBYA,
SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS
- The Secretary-General, in remarks to
the press on Monday morning, said that the dramatic scenes we are witnessing
in Tripoli
are a testament to the courage and determination of the Libyan people to
seek a free and democratic future. He said that it is crucial now for the
conflict to end with no further loss of life, and no retribution.
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- The Secretary-General welcomed the
assurances given by the Chairman of the National Transitional Council,
Mustafa Abdul Jallil, that extreme care would be taken to protect people
and public institutions, and to maintain law and order. And he called on
Colonel Muammar al-Qadhafi’s forces to cease
violence immediately, and make way for a smooth transition.
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- This is a hopeful moment, the
Secretary-General said, but there are also risks ahead. Now is the time
for all Libyans to focus on national unity, reconciliation and
inclusiveness. The Secretary-General expressed his determination to ensure
that the United Nations does everything it can to promote an orderly
transition that responds to the aspirations of the Libyan people for peace,
democracy and opportunity.
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- Asked about casualties in Libya, the Spokesperson noted
that the Secretary-General has repeatedly made known his concerns about
civilian casualties. At the same time, he said, the Secretary-General recognises and appreciates NATO’s efforts to avoid
civilian casualties.
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- In response to questions, the Spokesperson
confirmed that the Secretary-General had spoken by phone today with United
Kingdom Prime Minister David Cameron, among the many leaders with whom he
has been discussing developments in Libya.
BAN KI-MOON
ENCOURAGED BY MEETING BETWEEN MYANMAR’S
LEADER, DAW AUNG SAN SUU KYI
- In a statement, the
Secretary-General says
that he is encouraged by the meeting on 19 August in Naypyitaw
between President U Thein Sein
of Myanmar
and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, as both have expressed satisfaction about their
talks aimed at finding common ground on matters beneficial to the people
and the country. The
Secretary-General expects the meeting to be followed by further steps
towards a sustained high-level dialogue focused on national
reconciliation.
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- Whether these and other recent
developments will move Myanmar
forward depends on how all parties choose to work with each other. It is in the national interest that they
seize the opportunity to extend and accept conciliatory gestures to
achieve durable peace and unity.
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- The Secretary-General
reiterates his call for the release of political prisoners as a matter of
priority, so that all citizens of Myanmar are able to contribute
to advancing the prospects of national reconciliation and democratic
transition in their country.
TOP U.N. RIGHTS OFFICIAL AGAIN URGES SYRIA
TO CEASE PROTEST CRACKDOWN
- Addressing
a special session of the Human Rights
Council today, High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay repeated her
call on the Syrian Government to immediately and fully halt its crackdown
on peaceful protests.
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- She also urged authorities to ensure the
immediate and unconditional release of all people who have been detained
for taking part in peaceful demonstrations.
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- Ms. Pillay said
that as of today, more than 2,200 people have been killed since mass
protests began in mid-March.
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- In a report
issued last week, her office’s fact-finding mission said that crimes
against humanity may have been committed in Syria.
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- The High Commissioner today stressed the
importance of holding perpetrators of crimes against humanity accountable.
DIPLOMATIC QUARTET ON MIDDLE EAST SPEAKS OUT
AGAINST RECENT ATTACKS ON SOUTHERN ISRAEL
- Over the weekend, the Middle
East Quartet issued a statement
condemning in the strongest terms the attacks in southern Israel on 18 August 2011 and
all acts of terrorism.
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- The Quartet remains concerned
about the unsustainable situation in Gaza
as well as the risk of escalation, and calls for restraint from all
sides. The Quartet also expresses
its concern about the security situation in the Sinai
Peninsula.
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- Asked about violence in Egypt and Gaza,
the Spokesperson noted that the UN Special
Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Robert Serry, arrived in Cairo over the weekend for consultations
with the Egyptian authorities.
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- Haq said that the United
Nations deeply regrets the loss of Egyptian security personnel's lives. He
also noted the statement of Israel's Defence
Minister Ehud Barak over the weekend on this
matter.
U.N. SOUTH SUDAN ENVOY VOICES CONCERN OVER
VIOLENCE IN JONGLEI
STATE
- In South Sudan, the Secretary-General’s
Special Representative, Hilde Johnson, expressed deep concern about the
violent attacks in recent days and urged for restraint among communities
in Jonglei
State.
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- The UN Mission in South
Sudan (UNMISS) says
that the clashes have reportedly resulted in some 600 casualties, and
unconfirmed reports of between 750-985 people wounded.
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- Ms. Johnson said that this cycle of
violence had to stop and she called for reconciliation efforts. She added
that the UN Mission was willing and ready to support a process to this
effect.
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- An assessment and verification team from
the UN Mission has visited the conflict affected area and will return
today to offer its support to state authorities to facilitate
reconciliation efforts and prevent a further escalation of the
violence.
U.N. MISSION TO SOUTH KORDOFAN
SAYS HUMANITARIAN ASSESSMENTS NEED TO START THIS WEEK
- Asked about a UN humanitarian mission to
South Kordofan in Sudan, the Spokesperson said
that the joint mission of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and UN
agencies visited Kadugli on 21 August and met
with Governor Ahmed Haroun.
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- They agreed that the needs assessment plan
would be implemented under the guidance of the State Authorities.
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- Haq said that the aim is to assess
humanitarian needs in order to replenish stocks and deliver vital relief
supplies.
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- This humanitarian assessment is very urgent
as relief stocks are running low. Joint assessments in priority areas
throughout South
Kordofan
State need to be
started this week.
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- The United Nations and its partners stand
ready to provide support and call on all parties to enable safe access and
to facilitate humanitarian operations, the Spokesperson added.
U.N. MISSION IN CONGO
HAS LAUNCHED INVESTIGATION INTO ALLEGED SMUGGLING
- Asked about reports that a UN staff member
had allegedly smuggled cassiterite in the Democratic Republic of the Congo,
the Spokesperson said that the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of
Congo (MONUSCO) is fully
cooperating with and supporting the national authorities in the investigation
of this incident.
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- The Mission
has also launched its own investigation into what appears to be a serious
breach of its ethics, rules and regulations, Haq
said.
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- The Secretary-General’s
Special Representative, Roger Meece, has
stressed that any allegation of a member of its staff being implicated in
such illegal activities will be fully investigated and appropriate action
taken in full cooperation with the Congolese authorities.
HURRICANE IRENE EXPECTED SHORTLY TO HIT DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, HAITI
- The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian
Affairs (OCHA) says that tropical
storm Irene is now classified as a hurricane. The Haitian authorities have
issued a red alert for the entire country.
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- The storm is expected to hit the Dominican Republic and the north coast of Haiti
tonight.
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- OCHA and the UN Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH)
have activated joint operation and response centres.
A public awareness campaign and an evacuation assessment started today.
OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS
FLOTILLA REPORT NOT YET COMPLETE: Asked about the work of Geoffrey Palmer’s
panel on the 31 May 2010 flotilla incident, the Spokesperson said that the
panel’s work is not yet complete. The Secretary-General hopes that the members
of the panel will work to come to a consensus.
MISSION TO SYRIA
HAD BEEN TOLD TO LEAVE HOMS: Asked about a UN humanitarian mission visiting Syria now, the Spokesperson said that the
mission proceeded to Homs
today as planned. A protest situation developed, and the mission was advised to
leave for security reasons. The mission did not come under fire, as has been
reported by some media outlets.
Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General
United Nations, SA-1B15
New York, NY
10017
Tel. 212-963-7162
Fax. 212-963-7055
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