Robert Serry, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, told the Security Council today that the region continues to undergo a period of great turmoil, with regional tensions mounting dangerously. On Syria he said that ending the conflict is a matter of great urgency and must be a top priority of the [...]
The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed concern today (5 April) over the reinstatement of the death penalty in a number of countries in the Middle East and Asia. CH UNTV
Robert Serry, the United Nations Special Envoy for the Middle East, said today that it was now time "to come together in concerted action and support a serious initiative including a revitalization of the Quartet" in dealing with the Israeli/Palestinian issue. UNTV
United Nations Political Affairs chief Jeffrey Feltman voiced his concern after a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip landed in southern Israel, breaching the ceasefire reached last November, and called for urgently resuming negotiations aimed at breaking the impasse in theMiddle Eastpeace process. UNTV
The economic outlook for the Middle East andNorth Africaregion is mixed. Most of the region's oil-exporting countries are growing at healthy rates while the oil importers face subdued economic prospects, the IMF says in its latest assessment. IMF
Growth inAsiaduring the first half of this year has slowed to its lowest rate since the start of the global financial crisis, and only a modest and gradual pick up is expected next year, the IMF said. And, the International Monetary Fund offered a mixed outlook for theMiddle Eastregion. IMF
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) presented a gloomier picture of the global economy than a few months ago, saying prospects have deteriorated further and risks increased. Overall, the IMF's forecast for global growth was marked down to 3.3 percent this year and a still sluggish 3.6 percent in 2013. IMF
Iceland's Minister for Foreign Affairs Ossur Skarphÿinsson tells Israel, "don’t bomb Iran". UNTV
The Secretary-General of the Arab League, Nabil Elaraby, today (26 September) called on the Security Council to "review our calculations" in the way the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is being approached, challenging the Council to act under chapter VII of the UN Charter which provides for possible sanctions or possible use of force. UNTV
Jeffrey Feltman, the recently appointed United Nations chief for Political Affairs said today (22 August) at the United Nations in New York that while direct exchanges had continued between the Palestinian and Israeli authorities, he still was concerned by the lack of progress in the negotiations that could lead to "successful outcomes." UNTV