baalcade Posted December 21, 2007 UNITED NATIONS, Dec 20-- The Security Council late Wednesday requested Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to report by February 8 on progress made regarding contingency plans for a possible UN peacekeeping operation to succeed the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). Italy's Foreign Minister Massimo d'Alema, whose country presides over the council this month, read out a statement in a council meeting saying the members reaffirmed their respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence and unity of Somalia UN reaffirmed Territorial Integerity & Unity of Somalia . The council reiterated its strong support for AMISOM and urged the international community once again to provide financial resources, personnel, equipment and services for the full deployment of AMISOM. It urged all Somali parties to reject violence and, with the support of the Secretary-General's Special Representative, Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, to enter into a substantial dialogue aimed at achieving a full and all-inclusive national reconciliation. Expressing its deep concern at the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Somalia, the council emphasized the need for strengthened efforts to provide humanitarian relief assistance to Somalia and demanded that all parties in Somalia ensure unfettered access for all humanitarian assistance to vulnerable populations, fulfill their responsibilities and obligations under international humanitarian law and take measures to protect civilians. Ould-Abdallah briefed the council earlier this week on the situation in Somalia, calling on the international community to commit itself to a "clear course of action" there and inviting Saudi Arabia to play a "leading role", because of its "successful" contribution to peace in other conflicts. "The situation in Somalia is deteriorating daily and it is time for the international community to commit itself to a clear course of action. If the current trends of internal violence and external neglect continue, the consequence would be catastrophic for peace in the region, for the UN's reputation" and for Somali civilians themselves, OUld-Abdallah warned. Source: Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Allamagan Posted December 21, 2007 Good music for camp secessionists! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
