Author Insider

Syria: It was reported today that the leader of the major opposition coalition in Syria, Moaz Al Khatib, might be willing to talk to representatives of the Syrian Government. In reaction to the news, Lakhdar Brahimi noted that, although attempts at negotiation thus far have been unsuccessful, the report “is worthy of note.

Syria: Joint Special Representative Lakhdar Brahimi briefed the SC and the press yesterday about the political situation in Syria. He urged the Security Council to go beyond disagreement and take action, making the necessary changes needed to the Geneva Communiqué that can be used to come to a political solution.

Mali: USG for DPA, Jeffrey Feltman, represented the UN at the donors’ conference for Mali held on Tuesday at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa.

Syria: Operations Director for OCHA, John Ging, briefed the press today on last week’s four-day mission to Syria by seven UN agency emergency directors. The mission aimed to identify the gaps and challenges in the current humanitarian effort as well as to find ways of reaching a greater number of Syrians more efficiently and effectively.

Davos: The SG concluded his time at the World Economic Forum in Davos today. While there, Mr. Ban attended a World Economic Forum session on financing green growth, a discussion on post-2015, as well as participated in a plenary session on global education.

Davos: The SG spoke at the World Economic Forum in Davos today, focusing his remarks on a call for action from the international community to solve the crises in Syria and Mali. Regarding both crises he said: “Let not our inaction today lead to harsh judgement tomorrow.”

Middle East: UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Robert Serry, briefed the SC this morning on the situation in the region. He noted that the UN looks forward to working with the new Israeli Government following Tuesday’s elections.

SG in 2013: The SG addressed both the GA and the press on his priorities for 2013 today. Going into the new year, political priorities include the conflicts in Syria and Mali, the Sahel region, the DRC, and the Middle-East peace process.

Syria: The SG strongly condemns yesterday’s “appalling attack” at Aleppo University that left over 80 dead. “Deliberate targeting of civilians and civilian targets constitutes a war crime. Such heinous attacks are unacceptable and must stop immediately,” he said, calling for a full investigation of the attack.