Middle East

UN launches health partnership plan for European, Israeli and Palestinian cities

30 April 2003
The United Nations health agency co-launched a new partnership programme today aimed at improving the public health of European, Palestinian and Israeli cities through information exchange, study tours, training initiatives and workshops, leading eventually to direct Israeli-Palestinian cooperation.

Lebanon chosen by UN agency to host World Environment Day

30 April 2003
Lebanon has been chosen to host this year’s World Environment Day on 5 June, the first time in the 30-year history of the awareness-raising event that the main celebrations will be held in the Arab world, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) announced today.
Annan addressing Security Council

Annan appeals for Security Council unity on post-war Iraq

30 April 2003
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today appealed to the Security Council to set aside its past differences over Iraq and find a new unity that will allow the Iraqi people to take charge of their own destiny.

Amid new aid to Iraq UN reports new pillaging of already looted facilities

30 April 2003
United Nations aid agencies opened a new health corridor into Iraq today, prepared to receive fresh food supplies and reported a further resumption of international work within the country, but they warned of a continuing lack of security that included looting of facilities that had been restocked and repaired after previous pillaging.

Quartet releases Road Map to Middle East peace; Annan urges sides to embrace plan

30 April 2003
The diplomatic Quartet - comprising the United Nations, United States, Russian Federation and European Union - released its Road Map for a permanent solution to the Middle East conflict today, a move immediately welcomed by Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who urged the two sides to embrace the plan.

Pledging UN support for Road Map, Annan appeals for all to ‘stay the course’

30 April 2003
Pledging total United Nations support to the Israelis and Palestinians in implementing the Road Map settlement for a two-state solution to the Middle East conflict, Secretary-General Kofi Annan today appealed to both sides to “stay the course” on what may be a difficult path to peace.

Annan congratulates new Prime Minister of Palestinian Authority

30 April 2003
The United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, today congratulated Abu Mazen on his swearing-in as Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority and on the approval of his cabinet by the Palestinian Legislative Council.

Top UN rights official condemns suicide attack in Tel Aviv, calls for Middle East peace

30 April 2003
The top United Nations human rights official said today he was “appalled” by the suicide bombing in Tel Aviv early Wednesday morning, which resulted in three people being killed and some 50 wounded.
Mr. Matsuura

UNESCO contacts US on visit to Iraq to help recover looted antiquities

30 April 2003
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is negotiating with the United States on sending an assessment mission to Iraq early next month as part of its efforts to recover the priceless antiquities looted from Baghdad and other museums, the head of the agency said today.
Trucks loaded with food aid for Iraq (WFP)

UN opens new food corridor into Iraq but dirty water threatens 'potential calamity'

29 April 2003
United Nations relief agencies today reported the opening of a fifth food corridor into Iraq, the imminent return of more international staff and the dispatch of emergency medical supplies, but warned that rapidly dwindling chlorine supplies in the south could leave water untreated within weeks, with "potentially calamitous" results.