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The United Nations today marked the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People with a challenge from Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to both Israelis and Palestinians to show the statesmanship and political courage needed to reach peace.

The Security Council today extended for another year the arms embargo and other sanctions it imposed on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and requested Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to renew the mandate of the group of experts tasked with monitoring the measures.

The run-off presidential elections in Côte d'Ivoire yesterday proceeded “in a democratic atmosphere” despite tension and violent incidents that left three people dead, the United Nations envoy to the West African country said today, calling for calm as the provisional results are awaited.

Despite “undeniable” progress much more needs to be done to eliminate the horrors posed by anti-personnel mines, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told a meeting of States parties to an international treaty banning their use and production.

The United Nations can work more closely with regional organizations in the fight against drug trafficking, a senior official with the world body said today as he commended the efforts carried out in Central Asia.

A United Nations envoy on Sunday encouraged Myanmar authorities to build on recent developments towards democracy and national reconciliation, and to address concerns about the recent elections.

Members of the Darfur mediation team, including the United Nations, the African Union and Qatar, have arrived in the strife-torn Sudanese region to begin several days of consultations aimed at advancing the ongoing peace process.

The United Nations human rights chief today voiced deep concern about reports of politically-motivated violence ahead of Sunday's presidential run-off in Côte d'Ivoire, and called on the candidates and their supporters to renounce such behaviour.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the recent rebel attack on the town of Birao in north-east Central African Republic (CAR), which occurred less than two weeks after the handing over of the United Nations mission's camps to the national authorities.

A top United Nations official today stressed the need for a broad strategy and greater international cooperation to boost counter-narcotics and crime prevention efforts in Afghanistan.