Brahimi's report to UN General Assembly on Syria

Brahimi speaks to correspondents after briefing

the Security Council in closed session. 

29 November 2012 (Click on picture)

THE JOINT SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR SYRIA

REMARKS TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON THE SITUATION IN SYRIA

New York, 30 November 2012

Mr. President,

Mr. Secretary-General,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Yesterday, I briefed the Security Council, and it is a great honour for me today to appear before this Assembly for the second time, to share with you all a few thoughts about the situation in Syria.

The Secretary-General has just briefed you on the humanitarian situation in particular. The numbers he gave illustrate eloquently and also very sadly the dramatic situation now prevailing in Syria.

On the ground, however, it is now the security situation that is a major handicap for the delivery of humanitarian aid. An even greater handicap is the shortage of funding. As you just heard from the Secretary-General, the Syria Humanitarian Assistance Response Plan is only 50 per cent funded and the Regional Response Plan is only 38 per cent funded.

Mr. President,

Military confrontations in Syria have continued, unabated. Indeed, fighting has expanded geographically to almost all parts of Syria and intensified very significantly.

Anti-Government forces have reportedly achieved gains on the ground in several areas these past few weeks. The areas of territory that they control are expanding, and at times with strategic value. The Government, however, remains confident that they will have the upper hand.

At the regional level, tension has been high for some time now along the border between Syria and Turkey. Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon are equally fearful of the consequences of events in Syria on their respective countries and people. Palestinian refugees, who number over 500,000, are also concerned that they not be dragged into the conflict raging around – and at times inside – their camps. Hundreds of Palestinian refugees have already been killed including UNRWA staff.

Developments in and close to the Israeli-Occupied Golan are also a source of worry. It seems that the Disengagement Agreement between Syria and Israel is also being affected. The potential for escalation affecting both parties and the larger region, unintentionally or otherwise, cannot be ignored.

Israeli Ambassador's remarks before the UN General Assembly

Mr. President,

Today I stand before you tall and proud because I represent the world's one and only Jewish state. A state built in the Jewish people's ancient homeland, with its eternal capital Jerusalem as its beating heart.

We are a nation with deep roots in the past and bright hopes for the future. We are a nation that values idealism, but acts with pragmatism. Israel is a nation that never hesitates to defend itself, but will always extend its hand for peace. 

Peace is a central value of Israeli society. The bible calls on us:

 בקש שלום ורדפהו

“seek peace and pursue it.”

Peace fills our art and poetry. It is taught in our schools. It has been the goal of the Israeli people and every Israeli leader since Israel was re-established 64 years ago. 

Israel’s Declaration of Independence states, “We extend our hand to all neighbouring states and their peoples in an offer of peace and good neighborliness, and appeal to them to establish bonds of cooperation and mutual help...”

This week was the 35th anniversary of President Anwar Sadat's historic visit to Jerusalem. In a speech just before that visit, President Sadat famously stood in the Egyptian parliament in Cairo and stated that he would go "to the ends of the earth" to make peace with Israel.

Mahmoud Abbas's remarks before the UN General Assembly

كلمة الرئيس الفلسطيني محمود عباس أمام الجمعية العامة للأمم المتحدة تمهيداً للتصويت على مشروع قرار منح فلسطين صفة الدولة غير العضو المراقبة في الأمم المتحدة، باللغة العربية - أنقر هنا. 

Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority, addresses the 

UN General Assembly before the vote. 29 November 2012

Mr. President of the General Assembly,

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Palestine comes today to the United Nations General Assembly at a time when it is still tending to its wounds and still burying its beloved martyrs of children, women and men who have fallen victim to the latest Israeli aggression, still searching for remnants of life amid the ruins of homes destroyed by Israeli bombs on the Gaza Strip, wiping out entire families, their men, women and children murdered along with their dreams, their hopes, their future and their longing to live an ordinary life and to live in freedom and peace.

Palestine comes today to the General Assembly because it believes in peace and because its people, as proven in past days, are in desperate need of it.

Palestine comes today to this prestigious international forum, representative and protector of international legitimacy, reaffirming our conviction that the international community now stands before the last chance to save the two-State solution.

Palestine comes to you today at a defining moment regionally and internationally, in order to reaffirm its presence and to try to protect the possibilities and the foundations of a just peace that is deeply hoped for in our region.

Mr. President,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Israeli aggression against our people in the Gaza Strip has confirmed once again the urgent and pressing need to end the Israeli occupation and for our people to gain their freedom and independence.  This aggression also confirms the Israeli Government’s adherence to the policy of occupation, brute force and war, which in turn obliges the international community to shoulder its responsibilities towards the Palestinian people and towards peace.

This is why we are here today.

US's letter to UN member states on Palestinian statehood

This is what diplomats say is an American letter to the UN member states on Palestinian Statehood. It was circulated on 27 September 2012 after the Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas's speech before the UN General Assembly, diplomats added. The letter was quoted by The Guardian on 1 October 2012. 

Here is the letter in full text. 

Coordination on Potential Palestinian Observer Status Initiative 
in the United Nations General Assembly

 The United States and its Quartet partners continue to work toward a two-state solution that would result in a secure, democratic Jewish State of Israel and a Palestinian State as a homeland for the Palestinian people. We remain focused on returning the parties to direct negotiations and quiet contacts towards that end are proceeding.

 At the same time, we continue to urge both parties to avoid provocative one-sided actions that could undermine trust or otherwise distract from the pursuit of peace. This includes efforts by the Palestinians to potentially press for a resolution in the UN General Assembly to give “Palestine” non-member observer state status. Such a resolution would have significant negative consequences for the peace process itself, for the UN system, as well as for our ability to maintain our significant financial support for the Palestinian Authority. A General Assembly resolution on Palestine statehood could also open door to Palestinian participation as a state in other international for a including at the International Criminal Court as well as a host of UN Specialized Agencies. Statehood for the Palestinians can only be achieved via direct negotiations with the Israelis.

 We believe your government understands what is at stake here, and – like us - wants to avoid a collision at the coming UNGA session. We hope you are willing to support our efforts, including in your conversations with other governments and with the Palestinians directly, that such a vote on status in the UN General Assembly would be extremely counterproductive.

 We would appreciate knowing where your government stands on this issue. We would also be interested in knowing whether you have been approached on this matter by Palestinian representatives.

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GA Third Committee resolution on human rights violations in Syria

Bashar Ja'afari, Permanent Representative of Syria to the UN,

speaks at the Security Council’s stakeout area. 04 October 2012 

قرار اللجنة الثالثة في الجمعية العامة للأمم المتحدة حول انتهاكات حقوق الإنسان في سورية باللغة العربية - أنقر هنا. 

Voting record - click here. 

General Assembly

Sixty-seventh session Third Committee, Agenda item 69 (c)

Promotion and protection of human rights: human rights

situations and reports of special rapporteurs and representatives

Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Morocco, Netherlands, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and United States of America: draft resolution

Situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic

The General Assembly,

Guided by the Charter of the United Nations,

Reaffirming the purposes and principles of the Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights(1) and relevant international human rights treaties, including the International Covenants on Human Rights,(2)

Recalling its resolutions 66/176 of 19 December 2011, 66/253 A of 16 February 2012 and 66/253 B of 3 August 2012, Human Rights Council resolutions S-16/1 of 29 April 2011,3 S-17/1 of 23 August 2011,(3) S-18/1 of 2 December 2011,(4) 19/1 of 1 March 2012,(5) 19/22 of 23 March 2012,(5) S-19/1 of 1 June 2012,(5) 20/22 of 6 July 2012(5) and 21/26 of 28 September 2012, and Security Council resolutions 2042 (2012) of 14 April 2012 and 2043 (2012) of 21 April 2012,

UN General Assembly resolution on Palestinian Statehood

The General Assembly adopted a resolution granting to Palestine the status of non-member observer State in the United Nations. The vote was 138 for, 9 against, with 41 abstentions.

Mahmoud Abbas (front centre), President of the Palestinian Authority, with his delegation in the General Assembly Hall following the Assembly's decision. 29 November 2012

Click here to read the voting record. 
DRAFT (26 November 2012) - Rev. 1

67th Session of the United Nations General Assembly

Agenda Item 37: Question of Palestine

Status of Palestine in the United Nations

The General Assembly,

Guided by the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, and stressing in this regard the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples,

Recalling its resolution 2625 (XXV) of 24 October 1970 (1), affirming, inter alia, the duty of every State to promote through joint and separate action realization at' the principle of equal rights and self- determination of peoples,

Stressing the importance of maintaining and strengthening international peace founded upon freedom, equality.justice and respect for fundamental human rights,

Recalling its resolution 181 (ll) of 29 November 1947,

Reaffirming the Charter principle of tile inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by force,
Reaffirming relevant Security Council resolutions, including, inter alia, resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973),446 (1979),478 (1980), 1397 (2002), 1515 (2003) and 1850 (2008),

Reaffirming the applicability of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons inTime of War, of 12August 1949, to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, including, inter alia, 'with regard to the matter of prisoners,

Reaffirming its resolution 3236 (XXIX) of22 November 1974, and all relevant resolutions, including resolution 66/146 of 19 December 20 11,reaffirming the right of the Palestinian people to self~ determination, including the right to their independent State of Palestine,

Reaffirming its resolution 43/176 of 15 December 1988, resolution 66117 of 30 November 20 11, and all relevant resolutions regarding the "Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine", which, inter alia, stress the need for (a) the withdrawal of Israel from the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem ;(b) the realization of the inalienable rights of the Palestin ian people, primari Iy the right to self-determination and the right to their independent State; (c) ajust resolution of the problem of the Palestine refugees in conformity with resolution 194 (Hl) of I1 December 1948; and (cl)the complete cessation of all Israeli settlement activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem,

Security Council's statement on ceasefire in Gaza

Security Council Press Statement on Situation in the Middle East

The following Security Council press statement on the situation in the Middle East was read out by Council President Hardeep Singh Puri (India):

The members of the Security Council welcomed the ceasefire agreement reached in relation to the Gaza Strip in order to bring about a sustainable and durable cessation of hostilities that had been affecting the Gaza Strip and Israel.  The members of the Council called on the parties to uphold the agreement and to act seriously to implement its provisions in good faith.  They expressed their continued support for the ongoing international efforts to consolidate this agreement.

The members of the Council strongly commend the efforts of Egyptian President Morsi and others to achieve the ceasefire. The members of the Council also expressed strong appreciation for the efforts of United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in this regard.

The members of the Council affirmed the need for the people of Israel and the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip to live without fear.  They called on the international community to contribute to improving the living conditions of the people in the Gaza Strip, notably through providing additional emergency aid through appropriate established channels to the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and to work in this regard with Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and Egypt for the expeditious and unimpeded delivery of such humanitarian assistance, including of food, fuel and medical treatment.

The members of the Security Council deplored the loss of civilian lives resulting from this situation and reiterated the need to take appropriate steps to ensure the safety and well-being of civilians and their protection in accordance with international humanitarian law.

           

The members of the Council stressed the urgency of the restoration of calm in full and reiterated the importance of achieving a comprehensive peace based on the vision of a region where two democratic States, Israel and Palestine, live side by side in peace with secure and recognized borders.

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Ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas

This is the full text of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, sources in Cairo and Jerusalem said.
• Israel shall stop all hostilities in the Gaza Strip land sea and air, including incursions and targeting of individuals. All Palestinian factions shall stop all hostilities from the Gaza Strip against Israel, including rocket attacks and all attacks along the border.
• Opening the crossings and facilitating the movement of people and transfer of goods and refraining from restricting residents' free movements and targeting residents in border areas.
• Procedures of implementation shall be dealt with after 24 hours from the start of the ceasefire.
• Other matters as may be requested shall be addressed.
  
  
  Implementation mechanism
• Setting up the zero hour understanding to enter into effect.
• Egypt shall receive assurances from each party that the party commits to what was agreed upon.
• Each party shall commit itself not to perform any acts that would breach this understanding. In case of any observations, Egypt as a sponsor of this understanding, shall be informed to follow up.
  
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أ - تقوم اسرائيل بوقف كافه الأشكال العدائيه العسكريه والإجراءات على قطاع غزة براً، بحراً وجواً بما في ذلك الاجتياحات وعمليات استهداف الاشخاص. وتقوم الفصائل الفلسطينية بوقف كافة العمليات العدائية من قطاع غزة باتجاه الجانب الاسرائيلي بما ذلك اطلاق الصواريخ والهجمات على خط الحدود.

ب - فتح المعابر وتسهيل حركة الاشخاص والبضائع وعدم تقييد حركة السكان أو استهدافهم في المناطق الحدودية.
جـ -  يتم التعامل مع إجراءات تنفيذ ذلك بعد ٢٤ ساعة من دخول الاتفاق حيز التنفيذ.
د- سيتم مناقشة أي قضايا أخرى حال الحاجة لذلك.

آلية تنفيذ الاتفاق:

أ- تحديد ساعة الصفر لدخول تفاهمات التهدئة حيز التنفيذ.

ب- حصول مصر على ضمانات من كل طرف بالالتزام بما تم الاتفاق عليه.

ج- التزام كل طرف بعدم القيام بأية أفعال من شأنها خرق هذه التفاهمات، وفي حال وجود أي ملاحظات يتم الرجوع إلى مصر راعية التفاهمات لمتابعة ذلك. 

American draft statement on Gaza

The US mission proposed this draft press statement on Gaza, diplomats said. The text will be discussed at the Security Council in a closed meeting at 3 pm today.

Security Council Press Statement on Situation in Gaza

The following Security Council press statement on the situation in Gaza was read out by Council President Hardeep Singh Puri (India):

The members of the Security Council welcomed the ceasefire agreement reached by the parties in order to bring about a sustainable and durable cessation of hostilities in Gaza and Israel.  The members of the Council called on the parties to uphold the agreement, and expressed their continued support for the ongoing international efforts to consolidate this process.

The members of the Council strongly commend the efforts of Egyptian President Morsi and others to achieve the ceasefire. The members of the Council also expressed strong appreciation for the efforts of United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in this regard.

The members of the Council called on the international community to provide additional emergency aid to Gazans and to work with Israel and Egypt on the expeditious delivery of such humanitarian assistance, including of food, fuel and medical treatment.

The members of the Security Council deplored the loss of civilian lives resulting from this situation.

           The members of the Council stressed the urgency of the restoration of calm in full.

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Security Council Resolution 2076 on DRC/ M23

United Nations Security Council

France: draft resolution

The Security Council,

Recalling its previous resolutions and the statements of its President concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), especially the presidential statement S/PRST/2012/22 of 19 October 2012 and the press statements of 2 August 2012 and 17 November 2012 on the situation in eastern DRC,

Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of the DRC and emphasizing the need to respect fully the principles of non-interference, good-neighbourliness and regional cooperation,

Reiterating its deep concern regarding the rapidly deteriorating security and humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC due to ongoing military activities of the 23 March Movement (M23),

Expressing its deep concern regarding the resumption of attacks by the M23 and the entry of the M23 into the city of Goma on 20 November 2012, as well as the continuation of serious violations of international humanitarian law and abuses of human rights law by the M23 and other armed groups,

Calling for all perpetrators, including individuals responsible for violence against children and acts of sexual violence, to be apprehended, brought to justice and held accountable for violations of applicable international law,

Revised Morrocan draft press statement on Gaza (Updated)

This draft press statement is under silence procedure until Tuesday, 20 November 2012, at 9 am. Diplomats said that Morocco changed the language  as follows: 

SECURITY COUNCIL PRESS STATEMENT ON SITUATION IN GAZA

The following Security Council press statement on the situation in Gaza was read out by Council President Hardeep Singh Puri (India):

The members of the Security Council expressed grave concern at the escalation and steep deterioration of the situation in Gaza and southern Israel and called on the parties to immediately halt all violence. 

The members of the Council strongly support the Government of Egypt and others’ efforts to work towards a negotiated ceasefire. The members of the Council welcome the mission of the United Nations Secretary General to the region.

The members of the Council called for all parties to address the serious humanitarian and economic needs in Gaza and recalled Resolution 1860 (2009), notably the call for the unimpeded provision and distribution throughout Gaza of humanitarian assistance, including of food, fuel and medical treatment.

The members of the Security Council deplored the loss of civilian lives resulting from this escalation and emphasized that the civilian populations must be protected

The members of the Council stressed the urgency of the restoration of calm in full.

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Russian blue draft resolution on Gaza

S/2012/855

Russian Federation: draft resolution

The Security Council,

Recalling all of its relevant resolutions, including resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973), 1397 (2002), 1515 (2003), 1850 (2008) and 1860 (2009), and noting the importance of the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative,

Gravely concerned at the dangerous escalation and steep deterioration of the situation in and around Gaza, in particular the resulting heavy civilian casualties, deploring the worsening humanitarian situation, and emphasizing that the Palestinian and Israeli civilian populations must be protected,

Stressing the importance of and appreciating ongoing international and regional efforts aimed at the immediate end of violence,

Noting in this regard the important role of the Quartet in seeking a political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,

Recalling that a lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can only be achieved by peaceful means,

Reaffirming the right of all States in the region to live in peace within secure and internationally recognized borders,

1. Stresses the urgency of and demands an immediate, durable and fully respected cessation of violence, leading to the restoration of calm;

2. Supports international and regional efforts with a view to a prompt solution of the current situation;

3. Encourages Israel and the Palestinian authority to resume without delay a substantive bilateral negotiating process in order to reach the final goal of concluding a peace treaty resolving all outstanding issues, including all core issues, without exception, on the internationally recognized basis of the two-state solution as envisaged in Security Council resolution 1850 (2008);

4. Condemns all violence and hostilities directed against civilians and all acts of terrorism;

5. Urges all parties to address the serious humanitarian and economic needs in Gaza and to allow for the safe and unhindered access of humanitarian assistance and personnel to the Palestinian people and to ensure the unimpeded provision of humanitarian supplies throughout Gaza;

6. Decides to remain seized of the matter.

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Security Council statement on Gaza (2008)

On the situation in Gaza, Morocco circulated a draft statement in the Security Council "called on all parties to stop immediately all military activities". Diplomats said that the proposed draft was based on this Statement that was adopted by the Council on 28 December 2008. 

SECURITY COUNCIL PRESS STATEMENT ON SITUATION IN GAZA

28 December 2008

The following Security Council press statement on the situation in Gaza was read out by Council President Neven Jurica ( Croatia):

The members of the Security Council expressed serious concern at the escalation of the situation in Gaza and called for an immediate halt to all violence.  The members called on the parties to stop immediately all military activities.
The members of the Council called for all parties to address the serious humanitarian and economic needs in Gaza and to take necessary measures, including opening of border crossings, to ensure the continuous provision of humanitarian supplies, including supplies of food, fuel and provision of medical treatment.

The members of the Council stressed the need for the restoration of calm in full, which will open the way for finding a political solution to the problems existing in the context of the Palestinian-Israeli settlement.

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Ban's report on 1701/ Lebanon -- Advanced copy

Attached is an advance copy of the Report of the Secretary- General on the Implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701(2006) for the information of the members of the Security Council.

This report will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/2012/837.

14 November 2012

Report of the Secretary-General on the Implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701 (2006)

Reporting Period 29 June to 30 October 201

I. Introduction

1. The present report provides a comprehensive assessment of the implementation of Security Council resolution 1701 (2006) since my last report of 28 June 2012 (S/2012/502).

2. In a press statement on 18 July (SC/10712), the Security Council members welcomed the prevailing stability across the Blue Line and in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon’s (UNIFIL) area of operations; President Michel Sleiman’s initiative in reconvening the National Dialogue and the declarations adopted thus far, in anticipation of the continuation of this process; and the transfer on 11 July by the Government of Lebanon of its annual contribution to the budget of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. They also expressed grave concern over repeated incidents of cross-border fire, incursions, abductions and arms trafficking across the Lebanese-Syrian border, as well as other border violations, underlining the importance of full respect for Lebanon’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity and the authority of the Lebanese State in accordance with Security Council resolutions.

3. Despite the ongoing volatility in the region, calm has generally continued to hold along the Blue Line and in the UNIFIL area of operations during the reporting period. The few minor incidents that arose were handled effectively through UNIFIL’s liaison and coordination channels. The parties continued to affirm their commitment to resolution 1701 (2006), but there was no substantive progress in the implementation of their respective obligations outstanding under the resolution. There was a worrying spate of threatening public statements, partly reflecting wider regional tensions.

Palestinian draft resolution on "Observer State Status"

النسخة العربية من مشروع القرار الفلسطيني المقدم الى الجمعية العامة للأمم المتحدة للحصول على صفة "الدولة المراقبة" في الأمم المتحدة - أنقر هنا.  

DRAFT [8 November 2012]

67th Session of the United Nations General Assembly

Agenda Item 37: Question of Palestine

The General Assembly,

Guided by the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, and stressing in this regard the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples,

Recalling its resolution 2625 (XXV) of 24 October 1970 (1), affirming, inter alia, the duty of every State to promote through joint and separate action realization of the principle of equal rights and self- determination of peoples,

Stressing the importance of maintaining and strengthening international peace founded upon freedom, equality, justice and respect for fundamental human rights,

Recalling its resolution 181 (II) of 29 November 1947,

Reaffirming the Charter principle of the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by force,

Reaffirming relevant Security Council resolutions, including, inter alia, resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973), 446 (1979), 478 (1980), 1397 (2002), 1515 (2003) and 1850 (2008),

Reaffirming the applicability of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem,
Reaffirming its resolution 3236 (XXIX) of 22 November 1974, and all relevant resolutions, including resolution 66/146 of 19 December 2011, reaffirming the right of the Palestinian people to self- determination, including the right to their independent State of Palestine,

Reaffirming its resolution 43/176 of 15 December 1988, resolution 66/17 of 30 November 2011, and all relevant resolutions regarding the “Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine”, which, inter alia, stress the need for (a) the withdrawal of Israel from the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem; (b) the realization of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, primarily the right to self-determination and the right to their independent State; (c) a just resolution of the problem of the Palestine refugees in conformity with resolution 194 (III) of 11 December 1948; and (d) the complete cessation of all Israeli settlement activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem,

PLO's Position Paper on "Palestine’s Status at the UN"

Palestine Liberation Organization                                                                                 

Enhancement of Palestine’s Status at the UN

Position Paper

The Palestine Liberation Organization, the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, seeks to enhance Palestine’s status to that of an Observer State, as a significant step towards fulfilling the Palestinian people’s natural, historical, and legal rights to self- determination and independence. This step is a continuation of the standing Palestinian application for membership at the United Nations, which was lodged on 23 September 2011.

Together with the international community, Palestine believes that the status quo of political deadlock, while occupation, colonization and apartheid policies become further entrenched, is neither acceptable nor sustainable. The Palestinian initiative intends to protect the prospects of peace and accelerate its realization. This step reaffirms and protects the internationally-endorsed two-state solution. It is anchored in relevant United Nations resolutions, including General Assembly resolutions 181 and 194, and international law.

Russian draft statement on Syria

Placed under silence by Russia – until 4pm today, Monday 12 November 2012. 

The members of the Security Council expressed grave concern at and condemned in the strongest terms recent threats to foreign citizens, diplomatic missions and diplomatic agents, emanating from the Damascus military council of the Free Syrian Army.

Recalling, in particular, the fundamental principle of international law on the inviolability of diplomatic and consular premises, the members of the Security Council reaffirmed that such threats are unjustifiable regardless of their motivations, whenever and by whomsoever declared, and called upon those who made them to repudiate these provocative statements.

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Security Council draft statement on UNDOF/ Syria

The Security Council is discussing this (revised) draft statement which was proposed by the US, diplomats said. 

Draft Security Council Press Statement

The Members of the Security Council condemned the repeated violations of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement by the Syrian Arab Armed Forces, in particular that of November 3 in which the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) observed Syrian Arab Armed Forces conducting operations with at least four tanks inside the area of separation and that of November 8 in which three shells fired by the Syrian Arab Armed Forces landed to the West of Line A. The Members of the Security Council called for an immediate halt to these violations, which have the potential to jeopardize the ceasefire between Israel and the Syrian Arab Republic.

The Members of the Security Council called on all parties to abide by the terms of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement, to cooperate fully with the operations of UNDOF and to ensure the security of, as well as unhindered and immediate access for, the United Nations personnel carrying out their mandate.

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