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Concluding a three-nation swing through West Africa, the top United Nations refugee official is in Liberia today, where he was to see first-hand the reception and assistance for returnees from neighbouring countries and also visit some of the camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs).

"Extremely serious" and persistent failures on the part of Serbia and Montenegro to cooperate with the United Nations war crimes tribunal for the former Yugoslavia are threatening to push the trials of key suspects beyond the target completion date of 2008, the court's President warned today in a letter to the Security Council.

A United Nations human rights expert added his voice today to the chorus of concern over the reports that Iraqi detainees have been mistreated by soldiers from the United States and the United Kingdom.

An expert of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights today wrote to the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) strongly recommending that it establish an independent inquiry into the health situation of the civilian population of Fallujah following allegations that coalition forces might have violated international humanitarian and human rights law.

United Nations peacekeepers have played a crucial role in the extraordinary political progress made by newly independent, post-conflict Timor-Leste, and a reduced force of nearly 700 troops should remain for another year to allow the country to become self-sufficient, Secretary-General Kofi Annan says in a new report to the Security Council.

With the United Nations poised to play a key role in Iraq's transition to sovereignty, critics of the world body are seizing on unsubstantiated allegations regarding the Oil-for-Food relief effort before a high-level panel appointed by Secretary-General Kofi Annan has had a chance to investigate the matter, according to a senior UN official.

Eminent writers and reporters gathered at United Nations Headquarters in New York today to observe World Press Freedom Day, which Secretary-General Kofi Annan said provided an opportunity for everyone to reaffirm their commitment to the independence of the media and ensure that journalists are able to do their vital work in safety and without fear.

United Nations Messenger of Peace Anna Cataldi, who is also a spokesperson for the UN Mine Action Service, is on 10-day trip around Afghanistan in both of her roles - visiting demining sites and reviewing educational projects.

The United Nations expert panel charged with monitoring worldwide efforts to ensure adequate protection for all persons against torture and other cruel or degrading treatment or punishment opened its thirty-second annual session today in Geneva.

Secretary-General Kofi Annan is taking a wait-and-see approach after Israel’s Likud party rejected a referendum on the Gaza withdrawal plan, a UN spokesman said today, adding that the United Nations has previously welcomed the proposal by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.