Security Council – Work assessment under France presidency (July 2006) – Letter from France (excerpts)

Letter dated 18 October 2006 from the Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council

Please find attached the assessment of the work of the Security Council during the presidency of France in July 2006 (see annex). This assessment was prepared under my responsibility following consultations with the other members of the Council.

I should be grateful if you would have this letter and its annex circulated as a document of the Security Council.

(Signed) Jean-Marc de La Sablière

Ambassador

Permanent Representative

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Annex to the letter dated 18 October 2006 from the Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council

[Original: English]

Assessment of the work of the Security Council during the presidency of France (July 2006)

Under the presidency of Ambassador Jean-Marc de La Sablière, Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations, the Security Council engaged in an extensive programme of work. During the month of July, the Council held 24 closed consultations of the whole, 5 open meetings, 11 formal meetings, 4 private meetings and 3 public meetings. It adopted five resolutions and issued six presidential statements.

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Middle East

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The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question

Following the public debate on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, held on 30 June 2006 at the request of the Arab Group, the members of the Security Council discussed a draft resolution presented by Qatar to condemn the firing of rockets from Gaza into Israel and the large-scale military assault carried out by Israel in the Gaza Strip. The Council voted on the draft resolution on 13 July. Ten members voted in favour, four abstained and a permanent member of the Council voted against, thus preventing the adoption of the resolution.

The Council held a public debate on 21 July on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. All participants expressed concern about the situation in the region following the eruption of the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah on 12 July and the continuing deterioration of the situation in the Gaza Strip. No action was taken following the debate.

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