United Nations Daily Highlights, 10-07-30

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From: The United Nations Home Page at <http://www.un.org> - email: unnews@un.org

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING

BY

MARTIN NESIRKY

SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON

U.N. HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK

Friday, July 30, 2010

BAN KI-MOON WELCOMES ENTRY INTO ON FORCE ON 1 AUGUST OF CONVENTION ON CLUSTER MUNITIONS

The Secretary-General has

welcomed the entry into force, on Sunday, 1 August, of the Convention on Cluster Munitions.

He said this new instrument is a major advance for the global disarmament and humanitarian agendas, and will help to counter the widespread insecurity and suffering caused by these terrible weapons, particularly among civilians and children.

ROCKET ATTACK ON ASHKELON IS CONDEMNED

The office of the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO) has condemned the attack on Ashkelon earlier today, in which a rocket struck a residential area. Indiscriminate rocket fire against civilians is completely unacceptable and constitutes a terrorist attack.

UNSCO has called on the de facto authorities in Gaza to ensure that these kinds of actions do not occur. It urges all parties to exercise restraint and abide by the Fourth Geneva Convention and international law.

U.N. ENVOY WELCOMES REGIONAL LEADERS COMMITMENT TO ENSURING LEBANONS STABILITY

Michael Williams, the

UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, met today with General Michel Aoun, and spoke to reporters afterward. He noted that Lebanon will receive both King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia and President Bashar al-Assad of Syria, as well as later today, the ruler of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa.

Williams said that the visit of these Arab Heads of State will be enormously important and beneficial for Lebanons stability and future. He expressed his hope that the engagement of Lebanons external friends and partners, together with the efforts internally of the countrys political leaders, will play a very important part in resolving the issues that face Lebanon and bring stability for the coming months.

U.N.-A.U. DARFUR MISSION MANDATE EXTENDED FOR ONE YEAR

The

Security Council voted unanimously this morning to extend the mandate of the UN-African Union Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) by 12 months, until 30 July 2011.

The Council will meet again at 4:00 this afternoon, to hold consultations on Sudan.

Also, today is the last scheduled working day of Nigerias Security Council Presidency. On Sunday, the Russian Federation assumes the rotating Council Presidency for the month of August. Vitaly I. Churkin, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation and President of the Security Council for the month of August, will provide a briefing on the Councils programme of work for the month of August on Tuesday, August 3.

REFUGEE AGENCY RENEWS CALL TO STATES TO ASSESS SOMALI ASYLUM APPLICATIONS IN BROADEST POSSIBLE WAY

The UN Refugee Agency

says that dozens of Somali civilians have been killed and many wounded in this weeks escalation of fighting between Government forces and Al-Shabaab militia in Mogadishu. Many more have been driven out of their homes by the continuing violence, it adds.

UNHCR says that this weeks escalation underlines the seriousness of its repeated calls on governments to assess asylum claims from people originating from central and southern Somalia in the broadest possible way. Where refugee status is not granted, UNHCR is advising governments to extend complementary forms of international protection, which would allow Somalis legal residence until conditions improve for safe return.

The Agency adds that it is deeply troubled by the reports of continuing deportations of Somali refugees and asylum seekers from Saudi Arabia to the conflict-stricken Somali capital. It is urging the Saudi authorities to refrain from future deportations on humanitarian grounds. UNHCR is also in dialogue with the Saudi authorities about introducing a joint screening procedure before decisions on deportations to Mogadishu are taken.

BAN KI-MOON IS SADDENED BY LOSS OF LIVES CAUSED BY CAPSIZED BOAT IN D.R. CONGO

The Secretary-General was deeply saddened by the capsizing of a boat on Thursday in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in which more than 140 people reportedly died. The Secretary-General sends his sincere condolences to the bereaved families and to the people and Government of the DRC.

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says that floods have devastated the Basunkusu area, located in the northern part of the Equateur Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). It says that this natural disaster adds to the already grim humanitarian picture of the province.

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that the population is in urgent need of shelter, household goods, clean water, medicines, and food. It warns of the important risk of epidemic diseases.

The United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have already provided assistance.

THOUSANDS OF DARFURIS FLEE CAMP FOR THE DISPLACED FOLLOWING DEADLY CLASHES

More than 7,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) have gathered around a community policing centre outside South Darfurs Kalma camp, according to the UN-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID). The Mission says that this situation was caused by tensions sparked by deadly clashes earlier this week over the IDPs' participation in the Doha peace process.

UNAMID peacekeepers are now providing security around and inside the camp. The Mission is also working with local aid groups to provide medical assistance to those in need, including several women who had given birth. It is also mediating talks between community leaders, and remains in contact with the Sudanese authorities to address this crisis.

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

BAN KI-MOON DISTRESSED BY PAKISTAN FLOODING: In response to a question, the Spokesperson said that the Secretary-General was extremely distressed that flooding in Pakistan had caused so many casualties. He has expressed his condolences to the people of Pakistan.

NO FIRM DECISION YET ON POSSIBLE U.N ROLE IN KYRGYZSTAN PROBE: Asked whether the United Nations would be involved in an investigation looking into the violence in southern Kyrgyzstan, the Spokesperson said that the matter is a work in progress that is being dealt with by a number of parties, including the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the Government of Kyrgyzstan. No firm decision on UN involvement has been made yet.

U.N NUCLEAR WATCHDOG MONITORING MYANMAR ACTVITIES: Asked about potential nuclear activities by Myanmar, the Spokesperson said that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had been monitoring that issue.