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Peter Daou

UN Tries to Resolve Darfur Suspension

"United National officials were on Monday trying to break a diplomatic impasse after the Sudanese government suspended their operations in the western region of Darfur.

‘Historic’ Inaugural Session of UN Peacebuilding Commission

"There are few issues on which there is greater consensus, or higher expectations, than on the responsibility of the United Nations to help States and societies recover from the devastation of war," Secretary-General Kofi Annan declared as the Commission's Organizational Committee began its inaugural session. "The Commission represents a symbol of both hope and perseverance: hope for the many millions of people throughout the world who are striving to keep their societies on the fragile road to peace; and perseverance, because you have overcome considerable difficulties to get this new and vital endeavour up and running."

WHO: H5N1 Virus Mutated Slightly in Family

"A World Health Organization investigation showed that the H5N1 virus mutated slightly in an Indonesian family cluster on Sumatra island, but bird flu experts insisted Friday it did not increase the possibility of a human pandemic." [More]

More Action Needed to Curb Illegal Small Arms

"The chairman of an upcoming United Nations-organized conference looking into ways of curbing the illegal trade in small arms said today that stepped-up action is needed to tackle the global scourge and follow-up on a Programme of Action endorsed by all Member States in 2001.

Millions Mark World Refugee Day

WRD.jpg "World Refugee Day kicked off Tuesday with a message of hope from UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, the launch of a major UNHCR fund-raising campaign focused on youth and sports, and celebrations in the Asia-Pacific region. In his special message, Annan said that while the global refugee population was at its lowest level since 1980 and UNHCR had helped millions of people repatriate or resettle in a country of asylum, more than half those that the refugee agency cares for around the world have spent over five years in exile." [More]

Somalia War Could Spread, UN warns

CNN: "The takeover of Somalia's capital by Islamic militias could lead to a regional conflict unless the international community resolves Somalia's 15-year-old civil war, the top U.N. envoy to the country warned Monday.... U.N. officials are concerned that the increased fighting could create a new humanitarian crisis, and the United States fears the country could become a new haven for the al Qaeda terror network."

Time Running Out to Curb Effects of Deep Sea Pollution

Damage to the once pristine habitats of the deep oceans by pollution, litter and overfishing is running out of control, the United Nations warned yesterday. In a report that indicates that time is running out to save them, the UN said humankind's exploitation of the the deep seas and oceans was "rapidly passing the point of no return".