Peace and Security

Special Representative Martin Kobler of Germany.
UN Photo/Kim Haughton

Experienced peacekeeping envoy Kobler tapped to head up UN Mission in Libya

4 November 2015

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today announced the appointment of Martin Kobler of Germany as his Special Representative and Head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).

Special Representative and head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) Bernardino León.
UNSMIL

Hardliners will not ‘hijack’ Libyan political process, declares UN envoy, vowing to press ahead

21 October 2015
Africa

The effort towards forming a unity government in Libya will continue, the United Nations envoy for the country said today, emphasizing that while a position had been announced that some parties had not voted for the UN-backed political agreement, “there is no chance for small groups or personalities to hijack this process.”

Special Representative and Head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Bernardino Léon (shown on screen), briefs the Security Council.
UN Photo/Rick Bajornas

Libya: Security Council urges parties to endorse and sign political agreement

17 October 2015
Africa

Recalling their statement last week which commended Libyan dialogue participants on finalizing a political agreement for the creation of a Government of National Accord, members of the UN Security Council today urged all Libyan parties to endorse and sign it.

Special Representative for Libya Bernardino León speaks at a press conference in Skhirat, Morocco.
UNSMIL

Top UN officials urge Libyan parties to endorse proposals on new unity government

9 October 2015
Africa

Following the proposal of the names of candidates for the presidency for a national unity government in Libya, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged parties to the Libyan “not to squander this opportunity to put the country back on the path to building a State that reflects the spirit and ambitions of the 2011 revolution.”

Libyan stakeholders initial the Libyan Political Agreement in Skhirat, Morocco on 11 July 2015. Source: UNSMIL

Libya: Ban calls for urgent agreement on formation of Government of National Accord

6 October 2015
Africa

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today urged participants in the Libyan political dialogue to urgently conclude the process and sign an agreement leading to the formation of a Government of National Accord.

In Misrata city, Libya, residents collected ammunition remnants and created an open-air museum in Tripoli Street.
OCHA

Libya: Ban urges parties to reject violence, act quickly on draft peace plan

2 October 2015
Africa

Stressing that 18 months of violence has only led Libya down a path of death, displacement and destruction, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today urged all parties to put aside their differences and act on the draft peace plan they have before them.

Special Representative for Libya Bernardino León speaks at a press conference in Skhirat, Morocco.
UNSMIL

Libyan parties encouraged to act on UN-backed peace plan

22 September 2015
Africa

The United Nations envoy for Libya has announced the finalization of a proposed peace plan to end the political crisis in the North African nation, adding that it is now up to the parties to act on the text.

Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict Zainab Hawa Bangura (right), speaking with Security Council President for August, Joy Ogwu, at the Council’s special briefing on security sector reform.
UN Photo/Rick Bajornas

At Security Council, UN officials spotlight need for effective and accountable security institutions

20 August 2015

The Security Council today turned its attention to the need to develop effective, affordable and accountable security institutions, with senior United Nations officials representing peacekeeping, development and conflict-related sexual violence outlining concrete steps to lay the foundations for rule of law, peace and sustainable development.

Ján Kubiš, Special Representative the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), addresses the Security Council on the situation in the country (July 2015).
UN Photo/Loey Felipe

INTERVIEW: “I believe that the country is at a very difficult stage of its development… But at the same time, there is hope” – UN envoy for Iraq Ján Kubiš

7 August 2015
Middle East

It has been six months since Ján Kubiš took up the post of the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI). Over that period, the Slovakian national and his team have had to face considerable challenges – much like the country itself.

UNRWA'S Chris Gunness holds an open-air press conference in Jerusalem after a refugee family was evicted from its home and their possessions strewn on the streets.
AFP Getty Images/Ahmad Gharabli

INTERVIEW: The toughest spokesperson's job in the world? A decade speaking out for Palestinian humanitarian needs

3 August 2015
Middle East

Chris Gunness has served as the Spokesperson and Director of Advocacy and Communications for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) for almost a decade.