Middle East

UN war reparations body for Iraq invasion of Kuwait completes main work

30 June 2005
Completing 12 years of its work processing the claims of those who suffered damages during Iraq's 1990 invasion and occupation of Kuwait, the United Nations Compensation Commission (UNCC) today awarded nearly $367 million to successful claimants, bringing the total it has awarded to about $52.5 billion.

Security Council, envoy for Southern Lebanon deplore firing across Blue Line

30 June 2005
The Security Council and the United Nations envoy for southern Lebanon today deplored the Hezbollah militia's attacks from Lebanon against Israel and Israel's forceful response, calling on the Lebanese Government to end all attacks from its territory and on Israel to refrain from violating Lebanon's air space.

UN force in Lebanon trying to restore peace between Israeli troops and Hezbollah

29 June 2005
The United Nations force monitoring the ceasefire in the area between Israel and Lebanon is trying to re-establish the truce after an exchange of fire between Hezbollah militia and Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) broke out today in the Shab'a Farms area, a UN spokesman said.

Iraq: UN envoy holds new talks to promote full participation in political transition

29 June 2005
Continuing his efforts to bring about the inclusion of all sectors of Iraqi society in writing the new constitution, the top United Nations envoy to that country held a series of meetings over the past 24 hours with Sunni and Shiite Arab leaders and government ministers.

Annan updates Security Council on Iraq ‘Oil-for-Food’ investigation

29 June 2005
Secretary-General Kofi Annan met this afternoon with members of the Security Council to provide an update on the Independent Inquiry Committee (IIC), which is headed by former United States Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker and is looking into the United Nations Oil-for-Food programme for Iraq.

UN organizes workshop for Iraq human rights defenders

28 June 2005
With 4,000 new non-governmental and civil society organizations (NGOs) mushrooming in Iraq after the collapse of Saddam Hussein’s one-party rule, the United Nations is holding a three-day workshop for some 30 Iraqi human rights defenders in Amman, capital of neighbouring Jordan.

Veteran relief official named head of UN agency for Palestinian refugees

28 June 2005
A veteran United Nations relief official was today named head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the body that has been the main source of support for Palestinian refugees for the past 55 years.

No military solution in Iraq, all should be brought into political process – Annan

27 June 2005
There is no military solution to the crisis in Iraq and everybody must be brought into a political settlement that could include talks between United States forces and insurgents, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said today.

Security Council okays plan to release Iraqi funds

24 June 2005
The United Nations Security Council today endorsed the transfer of more than $220 million from the escrow account set up under the former UN arms inspection regime into accounts for the country's development and the repayment of its UN arrears.

Quartet urges Israel, Palestinians to seize the moment for peace

23 June 2005
The diplomatic Quartet seeking peace in the Middle East today called on Israel to take immediate steps to relieve economic hardships facing the Palestinians and on the Palestinians to fight violence and terrorism ahead of Israel’s planned withdrawal from the occupied Gaza Strip.