Security Council – Work assessment under Libya presidency (January 2008) – Letter from Libyan Arab Jamahiriya (excerpts)

   Letter dated 3 March 2008 from the Permanent Representative of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council

  I have the honour to enclose herewith the assessment of the work of the Security Council during the presidency of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya in the month of January 2008 (see annex). In accordance with the note by the President of the Council dated 12 June 1997 (S/1997/451), this assessment was prepared under my responsibility, following consultation with the other members of the Security Council.

  I should be grateful if the present letter and its annex could be circulated as a document of the Security Council.

(Signed ) Giadallah A. Ettalhi

Ambassador

Permanent Representative

    Annex to the letter dated 3 March 2008 from the Permanent Representative of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council

    Assessment of the work of the Security Council during the Presidency of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya (January 2008)

   Introduction

  This assessment of the work of the Security Council for the month of January 2008 has been prepared under the supervision and responsibility of its President during that month, Giadallah Azouz Ettalhi, Permanent Representative of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya to the United Nations. Libya carried out its responsibilities as Council President with a renewed commitment to the essential work of the United Nations and the principles of the Charter.

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  Asia and the Middle East

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   The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question

  On 22 January, the Council held its 5824th meeting following a request for an “urgent meeting” submitted by the Chargé d’affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of Saudi Arabia, in his capacity as Chairman of the Group of Arab States (S/2008/31). The representatives of Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, the Syrian Arab Republic, Pakistan on behalf of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Saudi Arabia on behalf of the Arab Group, Slovenia on behalf of the European Union and Cuba on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, as well as the Permanent Observers for Palestine and the League of Arab States, participated in the meeting, in accordance with rules 37 and 39 of the provisional rules of procedure.

  The Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs briefed the Council on the latest developments, stressing the deterioration in the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and southern Israel, and urged Israel to allow delivery of fuel and basic necessities to the Palestinians (see S/PV.5824).

  Over the following days, the Council members held a series of thorough consultations. Although the consultations provided the opportunity for a useful exchange of views, no agreement on a draft presidential statement could be reached.

  On 30 January, the Council held its 5827th meeting to hear the monthly briefing on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. The representatives of Israel, Lebanon and the Syrian Arab Republic, as well as the Permanent Observer of Palestine to the United Nations participated in the meeting, in accordance with rule 37 of the provisional rules of procedure and the practice of the Council.

  The Under-Secretary-General briefed the Council highlighting the latest developments in the crisis in the Gaza Strip. On Lebanon, he indicated that the repeated postponements of the presidential elections continued to constitute a source of further instability and security concerns. He summarized the assessment and noted that the past month had underlined the gap between aspirations towards Middle East peace and the grim realities on the ground.

  After the briefing, statements were delivered by the Permanent Observer of Palestine to the United Nations, the representative of Israel, Council members and the representatives of Lebanon and the Syrian Arab Republic.

  The Council members agreed in general with the assessment of the situation.

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