Secretary-General mourns victims of Iran plane crash
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who heads to Iran tomorrow on an official visit, today voiced sadness at the plane crash in Mashhad that reportedly killed scores of people.
UN hails decision by India to send 125 female police officers for peacekeeping
India’s landmark decision to send 125 female police officers, one complete specialized unit, to assist United Nations peacekeeping operations in Liberia in October is an “unprecedented” move that sends a message not only to other post-conflict countries about the importance of having women officers, but also to police contributing nations, senior UN officials said today.
Syria agrees to help enforce arms embargo on its border with Lebanon, says Annan
Syria agreed today to increase the number of guards on its border with Lebanon and “take all necessary measures” to curb the flow of arms to Hizbollah as stipulated in the United Nations resolution that ended the recent hostilities with Israel, Secretary-General Kofi Annan said after meeting Syrian President Bashar al Assad.
Fresh round of Somalia peace talks kicks off in Khartoum – UN spokesman
The Secretary-General’s top envoy to Somalia is taking part in peace talks starting today in Khartoum between the troubled Horn of Africa’s disputing parties, the Transitional Government and the Supreme Council of Islamic Courts.
UN aid chief urges action to stem suffering in Occupied Palestinian Territories
Painting a grim picture of the current social climate in the Middle East, the United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator today urged donors meeting in Stockholm to address the severe suffering of Palestinians living under occupation.
Kosovo: UN envoy welcomes treatment for former residents of lead-polluted camps
The senior United Nations envoy in Kosovo has welcomed the start of medical treatment to help internally displaced persons (IDPs) suffering from lead toxicity as a result of living in camps in the northern part of the disputed province.
UN welcomes donor pledges for Lebanon’s reconstruction as more aid gets through
Welcoming pledges of $940 million for Lebanon’s reconstruction made at yesterday’s international donor conference in Sweden, the United Nations refugee agency said today it was continuing its efforts to reach the most vulnerable communities, as more UN aid got through to the devastated south of the country.