Mideast

6.9.2012
Bahrain

Ban voices concern at harsh sentences upheld against activist

Ban Ki-moon is concerned at the harsh sentences, including life imprisonment, upheld by a Bahrain appeals court against 20 Bahraini political activists, according to his spokesperson.

6.9.2012
Report

Long-term Palestinian economic prospects worsen, despite recent growth

Despite nearly ten per cent growth in the economy of the occupied Palestinian territory in 2011, future prosperity in the West Bank and Gaza is threatened by continued restrictions, fiscal austerity, agricultural decline and a drop in donor support, according to a report released today by the United Nations trade and development arm.

31.8.2012
UNIFIL

SC extends UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon for another year

The Security Council today extended the mandate of United Nations peacekeepers in southern Lebanon until 31 August 2013, while urging all parties to abide scrupulously by their obligation to respect the safety of the world body’s staff.

30.8.2012
UNIFIL

UN force holds talks with Israeli, Lebanese officials on border issues

The head of the United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon today chaired a meeting with senior officials from the Lebanese and Israeli militaries as part of ongoing UN-sponsored efforts to reduce tensions and boost security along the countries’ border area.

30.8.2012
NAM Summit

UN chief excoriates Iran for threats to Israel, Holocaust denial

Without naming Iran,United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon denounced his hosts in Tehran on Thursday for threatening to destroy Israel and for denying the Holocaust.

30.8.2012
NAM Summit

Khamenei denounces UNSC 'dictatorship'

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Thursday slammed the "overt dictatorship" of the UN Security Council in a speech opening a Tehran summit that included UN chief Ban Ki-moon in the audience.

27.8.2012
Recognition

Israel sees U.N. majority for Palestine status upgrade

The Palestinians' bid to upgrade their status at the United Nations would find majority support there but would not bring them closer to statehood and peace with Israel, Israel's U.N. envoy said on Monday.

24.8.2012
SC

Jeffrey Feltman urges resolution of deadlocked Middle East peace process

Ongoing developments in the Middle East have increased the urgency of resolving the stalemate in the Arab-Israeli peace process, the United Nations political chief said today, while also noting that the prospects of regional peace were fading.

27.8.2012
Tripoli

Clashes in Lebanon hampering relief operations to assist refugees

The deteriorating security situation in Lebanon this week has made it increasingly difficult to provide assistance to thousands of Syrians seeking asylum in the neighbouring country, the United Nations refugee agency said today.

2.8.2012
UNRWA

Over 129,000 Palestinian families to receive food aid from Turkey

More than 129,000 families will benefit from an in-kind food donation from the Turkish Government worth $6.6 million, the United Nations agency assisting Palestinian refugees announced today.