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With access to medical care, water, sanitation and other heath necessities in Lebanon severely limited by Israeli attacks, United Nations humanitarian agencies have stepped up preparations for a coordinated, regional response to the crisis, the World Health Organization (WHO) said today.

Some of the 8,000 foreign combatants that remain in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after its devastating civil war represent a menace to civilians, but they do not seriously threaten a successful outcome for the historic national elections planned for 30 July, according to the assessment of a United Nations official.

United Nations aid teams joined Indonesian Government and non-governmental efforts in assisting survivors on the island of Java today after an earthquake killed at least 37 people, with 60 more missing after a tsunami triggered by the quake hit the coast.

The head of a three-member United Nations team dispatched to the Middle East in response to the unfolding crisis there arrived today in Beirut as an “act of solidarity” with the Lebanese people bearing a call from Secretary-General Kofi Annan for the protection of civilians, support for Lebanon's Government and the release of all those held captive.

Aiming to help defuse the current crisis in the Middle East, a three-person team dispatched by Secretary-General Kofi Annan to the region held talks today with key Arab countries in Cairo.

Condemning the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) multiple ballistic missile launches 11 days ago, the United Nations Security Council today demanded that the country suspend all related activities and required States to prevent the import or export of funds or goods that could fuel Pyongyang's missile or weapons of mass destruction programmes.

Major population displacements in the Ituri district in the north-east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have resulted from renewed fighting between the national army and rebel militias, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) reported today.

United Nations humanitarian officials today urged Israel, the Palestinians and Lebanese Hizbollah militants to refrain from disproportionate responses in the current renewed fighting, avoid attacking civilians, end rocket attacks and release immediately all kidnapped people.

As the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) geared up for a “strong and visible” presence on the streets of Port-au-Prince ahead of the birthday of former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide this weekend, three peacekeepers have been wounded in the gang-ridden Cité Soleil neighbourhood of the capital city.

Following a Security Council meeting today to discuss the escalating crisis in the Middle East, its President called on all “concerned sides and parties” to fully cooperate with a high-level United Nations team – which includes Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s Special Political Adviser – that has been sent to the region.