Indian foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Thursday (Apr 4) dismissed remarks made by a United Nations official over the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections, saying that he does not need to hear from the world body over a "free and fair" elections process.&nbsp;

This comes after a spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General said in a statement that they "hope" that in India, people's "political and civil rights" were protected and everyone is able to vote in a "free and fair" atmosphere.&nbsp;

Jaishankar was in Thiruvananthapuram when he said, "I don't need the United Nations to tell me our elections should be free &amp; fair. I have the people of India. The people of India will ensure that elections are free &amp; fair. So, don't worry about it."&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-mp-randeep-singh-surjewala-and-bjp-mp-hema-malini-row-heres-what-happened-707692">Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala and BJP MP Hema Malini row: Here's what happened</a>&nbsp;

The foreign minister was campaigning for his ministerial colleague and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Rajeev Chandrasekhar in the Lok Sabha polls.&nbsp;

During the interaction with the reporters, Jaishankar said that the UN official made the comment on the Indian elections last week in response to a "very loaded question" during a press briefing at the UN.&nbsp;

Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, was asked last week about the "political unrest" in India ahead of the upcoming national elections.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/son-in-law-after-sons-2019-loss-robert-vadra-reacts-if-he-will-contest-lok-sabha-polls-from-amethi-707747">Son-in-law after son's 2019 loss? Robert Vadra reacts to 'chances' of contesting Lok Sabha polls from Amethi</a>&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Mamata Banerjee: One nation, one political party is BJP’s policy&nbsp;

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The questions were in connection to the latest political development in the capital as Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested. The UN official was also asked about the opposition Congress Party's bank accounts.&nbsp;

"What we very much hope that in India, as in any country that is having elections, that everyone's rights are protected, including political and civil rights, and everyone is able to vote in an atmosphere that is free and fair," Dujarric had said.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Indian foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Thursday (Apr 4) dismissed remarks made by a United Nations official over the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections, saying that he does not need to hear from the world body over a "free and fair" elections process.

Indian foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Thursday (Apr 4) dismissed remarks made by a United Nations official over the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections, saying that he does not need to hear from the world body over a "free and fair" elections process. This comes after a spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General said in a statement that they "hope" that in India, people's "political and civil rights" were protected and everyone is able to vote in a "free and fair" atmosphere. Jaishankar was in Thiruvananthapuram when he said, "I don't need the United Nations to tell me our elections should be free & fair. I have the people of India. The people of India will ensure that elections are free & fair. So, don't worry about it." Also read: Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala and BJP MP Hema Malini row: Here's what happened The foreign minister was campaigning for his ministerial colleague and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Rajeev Chandrasekhar in the Lok Sabha polls. During the interaction with the reporters, Jaishankar said that the UN official made the comment on the Indian elections last week in response to a "very loaded question" during a press briefing at the UN. Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, was asked last week about the "political unrest" in India ahead of the upcoming national elections. Also read: Son-in-law after son's 2019 loss? Robert Vadra reacts to 'chances' of contesting Lok Sabha polls from Amethi Watch: Mamata Banerjee: One nation, one political party is BJP’s policy × The questions were in connection to the latest political development in the capital as Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested. The UN official was also asked about the opposition Congress Party's bank accounts. "What we very much hope that in India, as in any country that is having elections, that everyone's rights are protected, including political and civil rights, and everyone is able to vote in an atmosphere that is free and fair," Dujarric had said. (With inputs from agencies)

Jaishankar rebuffs senior UN official's 'free and fair' remark on elections in India

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres was "shocked" by a letter he received on Friday from Sudan's military ruler General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan demanding the removal of his ambassador to Sudan, according to his spokesperson.

"The Secretary-General is proud of the work done by (UN Special Representative to Sudan) Volker Perthes and reaffirms his full confidence in his Special Representative," said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric in a written statement on Friday.

Burhan had written to Guterres, requesting that Perthes be removed from his position, according to Reuters, citing officials in Sudan's presidency.

Weeks of intense combat in Sudan between Burhan's Sudanese Armed Forces and the country's Rapid Support Forces commanded by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo have shattered expectations for a peaceful transition to civilian government, reported CNN.

Perthes, who was nominated to his position in 2021, has expressed deep worry about the dispute. He criticised both leaders of Sudan's warring groups in a presentation to the UN Security Council earlier this week, warning of "a growing ethnicisation of the conflict."

Despite a seven-day truce that is set to expire this weekend, combat between both sides has persisted. According to the US embassy in Khartoum, media have lately witnessed the use of artillery and military aircraft and drones, airstrikes, prolonged combat in the heart of the Khartoum Industrial Area, and battles in Zalingei, Darfur.

Perthes told the Security Council that blame for the violence "rests with those who are waging it daily: the leadership of the two sides who share accountability for choosing to settle their unresolved conflict on the battlefield rather than at the table."

According to UNICEF, the Sudanese violence has taken a devastating toll on civilians, with over 700 people killed, including 190 children, and 6,000 others&nbsp;injured.

Over a million people have been displaced, seeking refuge in rural regions, neighbouring Sudanese states, or crossing Sudanese borders.

<h2>Over one million displaced</h2>

According to the United Nations refugee agency, five weeks of violence in Sudan has&nbsp;displaced more than one million people, including a quarter-million refugees.

Sudan has been at war since April 15, when differences between army leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the head of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Mohamed Hamdan "Hemedti" Dagalo, erupted into an armed confrontation. Hundreds of people have been slain in the conflict&nbsp;that has&nbsp;transformed Khartoum's streets and other parts of the country into battlegrounds.

Speaking to reporters in Geneva on Friday, Matthew Saltmarsh, a spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), said 843,000 people have been internally displaced as a result of the violence, reported Al Jazeera.

Around 250,000 people have left Sudan's borders, largely into Egypt, Chad, Ethiopia, and South Sudan, according to Saltmarsh, who said that Egypt has accepted the greatest number of Sudanese refugees so far, at around 110,000. 
&nbsp;

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UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres was "shocked" by a letter he received on Friday from Sudan's military ruler General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan demanding the removal of his ambassador to Sudan, according to his spokesperson.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres was "shocked" by a letter he received on Friday from Sudan's military ruler General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan demanding the removal of his ambassador to Sudan, according to his spokesperson. "The Secretary-General is proud of the work done by (UN Special Representative to Sudan) Volker Perthes and reaffirms his full confidence in his Special Representative," said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric in a written statement on Friday. Burhan had written to Guterres, requesting that Perthes be removed from his position, according to Reuters, citing officials in Sudan's presidency. Weeks of intense combat in Sudan between Burhan's Sudanese Armed Forces and the country's Rapid Support Forces commanded by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo have shattered expectations for a peaceful transition to civilian government, reported CNN. Perthes, who was nominated to his position in 2021, has expressed deep worry about the dispute. He criticised both leaders of Sudan's warring groups in a presentation to the UN Security Council earlier this week, warning of "a growing ethnicisation of the conflict." Despite a seven-day truce that is set to expire this weekend, combat between both sides has persisted. According to the US embassy in Khartoum, media have lately witnessed the use of artillery and military aircraft and drones, airstrikes, prolonged combat in the heart of the Khartoum Industrial Area, and battles in Zalingei, Darfur. Perthes told the Security Council that blame for the violence "rests with those who are waging it daily: the leadership of the two sides who share accountability for choosing to settle their unresolved conflict on the battlefield rather than at the table." According to UNICEF, the Sudanese violence has taken a devastating toll on civilians, with over 700 people killed, including 190 children, and 6,000 others injured. Over a million people have been displaced, seeking refuge in rural regions, neighbouring Sudanese states, or crossing Sudanese borders. Over one million displaced According to the United Nations refugee agency, five weeks of violence in Sudan has displaced more than one million people, including a quarter-million refugees. Sudan has been at war since April 15, when differences between army leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the head of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Mohamed Hamdan "Hemedti" Dagalo, erupted into an armed confrontation. Hundreds of people have been slain in the conflict that has transformed Khartoum's streets and other parts of the country into battlegrounds. Speaking to reporters in Geneva on Friday, Matthew Saltmarsh, a spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), said 843,000 people have been internally displaced as a result of the violence, reported Al Jazeera. Around 250,000 people have left Sudan's borders, largely into Egypt, Chad, Ethiopia, and South Sudan, according to Saltmarsh, who said that Egypt has accepted the greatest number of Sudanese refugees so far, at around 110,000. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

UN chief ‘shocked’ by letter from Sudan’s military ruler urging removal of special envoy

India is among 34 United Nations member states which paid their regular annual dues within the stipulated time.

In a document shared by the United Nations, as of 27 October 2019, 129 member states have paid their regular budget assessments in full.

Out of 129, only 34 members have paid their regular budget assessments in full within the 30-day due period specified in the U.N.'s Financial Regulation.

The UN's operating budget for 2018-2019 is close to $5.4 billion excluding the money for peacekeeping operations. Meanwhile, India has contributed $23,253,808 this year.

Although 129 States out of 193 have now paid their regular annual dues, only 70 per cent of the total assessment for the year till September had been paid, versus 78 per cent this time last year.

The United Nations is facing the worst cash crisis in nearly a decade and it might not be able to pay the salaries to its officials next month, said the Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

In a statement issued by his Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, Guterres said he had written to the Member States, "about the worst cash crisis facing the United Nations in nearly a decade. The organisation runs the risk of depleting its liquidity reserves by the end of the month and defaulting on payments to staff and vendors."

The United Nations is facing the deepest deficit of the decade.

Addressing the budget-setting Fifth Committee of the General Assembly on Tuesday morning, the Secretary-General said, "this month, we will reach the deepest deficit of the decade."

He said that the Organisation risks "exhausting the closed peacekeeping cash reserves and entering November without enough cash to cover payrolls."

Dujarric, while talking to reporters said, other states needed to pay "urgently and in full".

India is among 34 United Nations member states which paid their regular annual dues within the stipulated time. In a document shared by the United Nations, as of 27 October 2019, 129 member states have paid their regular budget assessments in full.

India is among 34 United Nations member states which paid their regular annual dues within the stipulated time. In a document shared by the United Nations, as of 27 October 2019, 129 member states have paid their regular budget assessments in full. Out of 129, only 34 members have paid their regular budget assessments in full within the 30-day due period specified in the U.N.'s Financial Regulation. The UN's operating budget for 2018-2019 is close to $5.4 billion excluding the money for peacekeeping operations. Meanwhile, India has contributed $23,253,808 this year. Although 129 States out of 193 have now paid their regular annual dues, only 70 per cent of the total assessment for the year till September had been paid, versus 78 per cent this time last year. The United Nations is facing the worst cash crisis in nearly a decade and it might not be able to pay the salaries to its officials next month, said the Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. In a statement issued by his Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, Guterres said he had written to the Member States, "about the worst cash crisis facing the United Nations in nearly a decade. The organisation runs the risk of depleting its liquidity reserves by the end of the month and defaulting on payments to staff and vendors." The United Nations is facing the deepest deficit of the decade. Addressing the budget-setting Fifth Committee of the General Assembly on Tuesday morning, the Secretary-General said, "this month, we will reach the deepest deficit of the decade." He said that the Organisation risks "exhausting the closed peacekeeping cash reserves and entering November without enough cash to cover payrolls." Dujarric, while talking to reporters said, other states needed to pay "urgently and in full".

India among 34 U.N. nations to pay regular annual dues within stipulated time

UN Security Council President Joanna Wronecka on Thursday refused to comment on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/several-positive-points-in-centres-move-on-jammu-and-kashmir-says-veteran-congress-leader-karan-singh-241503">Pakistan's letter to the world</a> body regarding abrogation of Article 370 by India that granted a special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

"No comments," Wronecka said when asked for a reaction at a press briefing in New York.

UNSC president's refusal to comment on the letter follows the recent meeting of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/overall-situation-in-jammu-and-kashmir-under-control-says-army-chief-bipin-rawat-241555">Pakistan's permanent representative </a>to the UN Maleeha Lodhi and Prime Minister Imran Khan's statement in the country's Parliament that his government will take the matter to the world body.

UNSC to even comment on Pak&nbsp;comes despite Pakistan's public relation's campaign saying she met UNSC president and Pak Prime Minister Imran Khan said they will be moving to the UNSC.

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Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi had written to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres claiming abrogation of in Jammu and Kashmir had violated the UNSC resolution.

Earlier, Guterres had appealed to both India and Pakistan to exercise "maximum restraint" and said he has been following the situation in Jammu and Kashmir with concern.

"The Secretary-General also recalls the 1972 Agreement on bilateral relations between India and Pakistan, also known as the Simla Agreement, which states that the final status of Jammu and Kashmir is to be settled by peaceful means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations," said Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson of the UN Secretary-General in a statement.

"The Secretary-General calls on all parties to refrain from taking steps that could affect the status of Jammu and Kashmir," said the statement.

Tensions between India and Pakistan have spiralled after the Indian Parliament on Tuesday passed a resolution to revoke Article 370 and a bill bifurcating Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories.

Rattled by New Delhi's decisions, Islamabad "rejected" the move and said it will exercise "all possible options" to counter the steps.

Pakistan on Wednesday decided to downgrade bilateral ties with India and suspend all bilateral trade activities with the neighbouring country in the aftermath of the scrapping of special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

On its part, New Delhi asked Islamabad to review its decision so that normal channels for diplomatic communications are preserved while strictly maintaining that its steps in Jammu and Kashmir are an "entirely internal affair".

The international community has urged both countries to exercise restraint and ensure that peace and stability prevail across the Line of Control (LoC).

UN Security Council President Joanna Wronecka on Thursday refused to comment on Pakistan's letter to the world body regarding abrogation of Article 370 by India that granted a special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

UN Security Council President Joanna Wronecka on Thursday refused to comment on Pakistan's letter to the world body regarding abrogation of Article 370 by India that granted a special status to Jammu and Kashmir. "No comments," Wronecka said when asked for a reaction at a press briefing in New York. UNSC president's refusal to comment on the letter follows the recent meeting of Pakistan's permanent representative to the UN Maleeha Lodhi and Prime Minister Imran Khan's statement in the country's Parliament that his government will take the matter to the world body. UNSC to even comment on Pak comes despite Pakistan's public relation's campaign saying she met UNSC president and Pak Prime Minister Imran Khan said they will be moving to the UNSC. Watch Video: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi had written to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres claiming abrogation of in Jammu and Kashmir had violated the UNSC resolution. Earlier, Guterres had appealed to both India and Pakistan to exercise "maximum restraint" and said he has been following the situation in Jammu and Kashmir with concern. "The Secretary-General also recalls the 1972 Agreement on bilateral relations between India and Pakistan, also known as the Simla Agreement, which states that the final status of Jammu and Kashmir is to be settled by peaceful means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations," said Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson of the UN Secretary-General in a statement. "The Secretary-General calls on all parties to refrain from taking steps that could affect the status of Jammu and Kashmir," said the statement. Tensions between India and Pakistan have spiralled after the Indian Parliament on Tuesday passed a resolution to revoke Article 370 and a bill bifurcating Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories. Rattled by New Delhi's decisions, Islamabad "rejected" the move and said it will exercise "all possible options" to counter the steps. Pakistan on Wednesday decided to downgrade bilateral ties with India and suspend all bilateral trade activities with the neighbouring country in the aftermath of the scrapping of special status to Jammu and Kashmir. On its part, New Delhi asked Islamabad to review its decision so that normal channels for diplomatic communications are preserved while strictly maintaining that its steps in Jammu and Kashmir are an "entirely internal affair". The international community has urged both countries to exercise restraint and ensure that peace and stability prevail across the Line of Control (LoC).

Jammu and Kashmir bilateral issue between India & Pak, part of Shimla Agreement: UN

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres raised the plight of Muslims in China's Xinjiang region during a visit to Beijing last week, a U.N. spokesman said on Monday

UN chief raises issue of Xinjiang's Uighurs during China visit

The United Nations on Friday stressed that refugees fleeing conflict should be granted safe haven after Bangladesh declared that it would no longer take in Myanmar's Rohingya.

Bangladesh's Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque told the Security Council on Thursday that the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-tells-un-it-will-no-longer-take-in-myanmar-refugees-200371"> refugee crisis had gone from "bad to worse" </a>and deplored the fact that none of the hundreds of thousands of Rohingya sheltering in his country had returned home.

"Bangladesh has been amazingly generous in the support they have given the Rohingya refugees," said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

"It is important that people fleeing conflict are able to find safe haven wherever they go."

Under a deal reached with Bangladesh, Myanmar agreed to take back some of the refugees, but the United Nations insists that the safety of the Rohingya be a condition for their return.

Haque told a council meeting on Myanmar that "Bangladesh would no longer be in a position to accommodate more people from Myanmar", suggesting that his government was ready to close the border to refugees.

Around 740,000 Muslim Rohingya are living in camps in Bangladesh after they were driven out of Myanmar's northern Rakhine state during a military campaign in 2017 that the United Nations has described as ethnic cleansing.

"Is Bangladesh paying the price for being responsive and responsible in showing empathy to a persecuted minority population of a neighbouring country?" asked the foreign secretary.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is conducting an internal review of the world body's operations in Myanmar following accusations that UN officials in the country ignored warning signs of the attacks against the Rohingya.

The UN spokesman said the review led by Guatemalan diplomat Gert Rosenthal was to provide "possible lessons learned for the future" and advise on the way forward.

Britain's Guardian newspaper first reported on the inquiry on Tuesday that will focus on the UN's failure to prevent the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar.

Some of the criticism has focussed on allegations that the UN resident coordinator, Renata Lok-Dessallien, downplayed concerns about worsening abuses against the Rohingya and sought to prioritize economic development at the expense of human rights.

The UN has denied those claims.

The United Nations on Friday stressed that refugees fleeing conflict should be granted safe haven after Bangladesh declared that it would no longer take in Myanmar's Rohingya.

The United Nations on Friday stressed that refugees fleeing conflict should be granted safe haven after Bangladesh declared that it would no longer take in Myanmar's Rohingya. Bangladesh's Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque told the Security Council on Thursday that the refugee crisis had gone from "bad to worse" and deplored the fact that none of the hundreds of thousands of Rohingya sheltering in his country had returned home. "Bangladesh has been amazingly generous in the support they have given the Rohingya refugees," said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric. "It is important that people fleeing conflict are able to find safe haven wherever they go." Under a deal reached with Bangladesh, Myanmar agreed to take back some of the refugees, but the United Nations insists that the safety of the Rohingya be a condition for their return. Haque told a council meeting on Myanmar that "Bangladesh would no longer be in a position to accommodate more people from Myanmar", suggesting that his government was ready to close the border to refugees. Around 740,000 Muslim Rohingya are living in camps in Bangladesh after they were driven out of Myanmar's northern Rakhine state during a military campaign in 2017 that the United Nations has described as ethnic cleansing. "Is Bangladesh paying the price for being responsive and responsible in showing empathy to a persecuted minority population of a neighbouring country?" asked the foreign secretary. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is conducting an internal review of the world body's operations in Myanmar following accusations that UN officials in the country ignored warning signs of the attacks against the Rohingya. The UN spokesman said the review led by Guatemalan diplomat Gert Rosenthal was to provide "possible lessons learned for the future" and advise on the way forward. Britain's Guardian newspaper first reported on the inquiry on Tuesday that will focus on the UN's failure to prevent the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar. Some of the criticism has focussed on allegations that the UN resident coordinator, Renata Lok-Dessallien, downplayed concerns about worsening abuses against the Rohingya and sought to prioritize economic development at the expense of human rights. The UN has denied those claims.

United Nations urges Bangladesh not to close door to Myanmar refugees

A UN-led team tasked with monitoring a ceasefire met Wednesday in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/uneasy-calm-in-yemens-hodeida-as-combatants-await-un-truce-team-185546">Yemen's flashpoint city of Hodeida</a>, after sporadic clashes underscored the fragility of the truce which began last week.

The ceasefire in the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/advance-un-truce-monitors-arrive-in-yemens-hodeidah-186094">rebel-held city</a>, whose Red Sea port is vital for millions at risk of starvation, is part of a peace push seen as the best chance yet of ending four years of devastating conflict.

A pro-government official told AFP that loyalist members of the committee overseeing the truce went to the Union Palace Hotel in the east of Hodeida city to take part in the meeting.&nbsp;

"We are expecting a good outcome," said the official, who requested anonymity.

Retired Dutch general Patrick Cammaert is heading the joint committee, which includes both government officials and Huthi rebels, and chaired its first face-to-face meeting.

According to a Yemeni official, government members headed to the sit-down in UN vehicles.&nbsp;

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric has described the meeting as "one of the priorities" of Cammaert's mission.

A truce in Hodeida and its surroundings went into effect on December 18 but has remained shaky, with the two sides accusing each other of violations.

Government forces — backed by a Saudi-led coalition — and the Iran-aligned Huthis exchanged gunfire for a few hours on Wednesday morning, an AFP correspondent reported.

The sound of heavy artillery could be heard to the east of the city.

An official for the Saudi-led coalition said Tuesday that 10 pro-government troops had been killed since the ceasefire went into force, accusing the Huthis of 183 violations.&nbsp;

"The fact of the matter is, unfortunately, that the Huthis are clearly looking to provoke a response from the coalition and no one is holding them accountable," he told AFP.

The rebels, in turn, said on the same day that they had recorded at least 31 violations in the past 24 hours by pro-government troops, according to the Huthi-run Al-Masirah TV.&nbsp;

The war between the Shiite Huthi rebels and troops loyal to President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi escalated in 2015 when he fled into Saudi exile and the Saudi-led military coalition intervened.

Since then, the war has killed some 10,000 people, according to the World Health Organization, although human rights groups say the real death toll could be five times as high.

The conflict has unleashed a major humanitarian crisis and pushed 14 million Yemenis to the brink of famine.

'Right to offensive'&nbsp;

A coalition official warned Tuesday of a renewed offensive on Hodeida if violations of the ceasefire persist.

"We look forward to supporting Cammaert in his efforts... we genuinely hope he succeeds, but if not, we reserve the right to recommence an offensive to liberate the city," said the official who spoke on condition anonymity.

Cammaert arrived in Hodeida on Sunday from the rebel-held capital Sanaa, after meeting with government officials in Aden.

Yemen's warring sides agreed at peace talks in Sweden this month on the ceasefire to halt a devastating offensive by government forces and the coalition against Hodeida.

The UN Security Council unanimously approved a resolution authorising the deployment of observers to oversee the truce.

The UN monitoring team aims to secure the functioning of Hodeida's port and supervise the withdrawal of fighters from the city.

The text approved by the Security Council "insists on the full respect by all parties of the ceasefire agreed" for Hodeida.

It authorises the United Nations to "establish and deploy, for an initial period of 30 days from the adoption of this resolution, an advance team to begin monitoring" the ceasefire, under Cammaert's leadership.

A UN-led team tasked with monitoring a ceasefire met Wednesday in Yemen's flashpoint city of Hodeida, after sporadic clashes underscored the fragility of the truce which began last week.

A UN-led team tasked with monitoring a ceasefire met Wednesday in Yemen's flashpoint city of Hodeida, after sporadic clashes underscored the fragility of the truce which began last week. The ceasefire in the rebel-held city, whose Red Sea port is vital for millions at risk of starvation, is part of a peace push seen as the best chance yet of ending four years of devastating conflict. A pro-government official told AFP that loyalist members of the committee overseeing the truce went to the Union Palace Hotel in the east of Hodeida city to take part in the meeting. "We are expecting a good outcome," said the official, who requested anonymity. Retired Dutch general Patrick Cammaert is heading the joint committee, which includes both government officials and Huthi rebels, and chaired its first face-to-face meeting. According to a Yemeni official, government members headed to the sit-down in UN vehicles. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric has described the meeting as "one of the priorities" of Cammaert's mission. A truce in Hodeida and its surroundings went into effect on December 18 but has remained shaky, with the two sides accusing each other of violations. Government forces — backed by a Saudi-led coalition — and the Iran-aligned Huthis exchanged gunfire for a few hours on Wednesday morning, an AFP correspondent reported. The sound of heavy artillery could be heard to the east of the city. An official for the Saudi-led coalition said Tuesday that 10 pro-government troops had been killed since the ceasefire went into force, accusing the Huthis of 183 violations. "The fact of the matter is, unfortunately, that the Huthis are clearly looking to provoke a response from the coalition and no one is holding them accountable," he told AFP. The rebels, in turn, said on the same day that they had recorded at least 31 violations in the past 24 hours by pro-government troops, according to the Huthi-run Al-Masirah TV. The war between the Shiite Huthi rebels and troops loyal to President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi escalated in 2015 when he fled into Saudi exile and the Saudi-led military coalition intervened. Since then, the war has killed some 10,000 people, according to the World Health Organization, although human rights groups say the real death toll could be five times as high. The conflict has unleashed a major humanitarian crisis and pushed 14 million Yemenis to the brink of famine. 'Right to offensive' A coalition official warned Tuesday of a renewed offensive on Hodeida if violations of the ceasefire persist. "We look forward to supporting Cammaert in his efforts... we genuinely hope he succeeds, but if not, we reserve the right to recommence an offensive to liberate the city," said the official who spoke on condition anonymity. Cammaert arrived in Hodeida on Sunday from the rebel-held capital Sanaa, after meeting with government officials in Aden. Yemen's warring sides agreed at peace talks in Sweden this month on the ceasefire to halt a devastating offensive by government forces and the coalition against Hodeida. The UN Security Council unanimously approved a resolution authorising the deployment of observers to oversee the truce. The UN monitoring team aims to secure the functioning of Hodeida's port and supervise the withdrawal of fighters from the city. The text approved by the Security Council "insists on the full respect by all parties of the ceasefire agreed" for Hodeida. It authorises the United Nations to "establish and deploy, for an initial period of 30 days from the adoption of this resolution, an advance team to begin monitoring" the ceasefire, under Cammaert's leadership.

UN-led monitors meet in Yemen's Hodeida as clashes test truce

A UN&nbsp;advance team arrived in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/yemens-warring-sides-trade-blame-for-truce-breach-swap-prisoner-lists-185321">Yemen</a>'s port city of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/yemenis-in-hodeidah-hope-truce-holds-as-warring-parties-talk-peace-184115">Hodeidah</a> on Sunday to start monitoring a ceasefire and withdrawal of forces agreed by the Iranian-aligned Houthi group and Saudi-backed government forces, the United Nations said.

The warring parties in Yemen's nearly four-year war reached the deal at UN-sponsored peace talks in Sweden earlier this month. The truce began on Tuesday but skirmishes continued on the outskirts of the city.

The UN&nbsp;Security Council on Friday unanimously approved the deployment&nbsp;for an initial 30 days of an advance monitoring team led by retired Dutch General Patrick Cammaert. He is chair of a Redeployment Coordination Committee (RCC) that includes representatives from both sides of the conflict.

"General Cammaert is encouraged by the general enthusiasm of both sides to get to work, immediately. One of the priorities in the coming days will be the organization of the first joint RCC meeting, which is projected for 26 December," UN&nbsp;spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.

Cammaert's team, which the United Nations has said will not be uninformed or armed, will oversee the truce and troop withdrawal from Hodeidah city and three ports.

The United Nations will also provide support for the management of and inspections at the ports of Hodeidah, Salif and Ras Issa; and strengthen its presence in the war-torn region.

Hodeidah, the main port used to feed Yemen's 30 million people, has been the focus of fighting this year, raising fears abroad that a full-scale assault could cut off supplies to nearly 16 million people suffering from severe hunger.

The deal reached in Sweden is meant to pave the way for a wider ceasefire in the impoverished country and the second round of talks in January on a framework for political negotiations.

A Sunni Muslim Arab alliance led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates entered the war in 2015 against the Houthis to restore the internationally recognized government of Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, which was ousted from the capital Sanaa.

The Houthis control most urban centres, including Sanaa, while Hadi's government is based in the southern port of Aden.

A UN advance team arrived in Yemen's port city of Hodeidah on Sunday to start monitoring a ceasefire and withdrawal of forces agreed by the Iranian-aligned Houthi group and Saudi-backed government forces, the United Nations said.

A UN advance team arrived in Yemen's port city of Hodeidah on Sunday to start monitoring a ceasefire and withdrawal of forces agreed by the Iranian-aligned Houthi group and Saudi-backed government forces, the United Nations said. The warring parties in Yemen's nearly four-year war reached the deal at UN-sponsored peace talks in Sweden earlier this month. The truce began on Tuesday but skirmishes continued on the outskirts of the city. The UN Security Council on Friday unanimously approved the deployment for an initial 30 days of an advance monitoring team led by retired Dutch General Patrick Cammaert. He is chair of a Redeployment Coordination Committee (RCC) that includes representatives from both sides of the conflict. "General Cammaert is encouraged by the general enthusiasm of both sides to get to work, immediately. One of the priorities in the coming days will be the organization of the first joint RCC meeting, which is projected for 26 December," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement. Cammaert's team, which the United Nations has said will not be uninformed or armed, will oversee the truce and troop withdrawal from Hodeidah city and three ports. The United Nations will also provide support for the management of and inspections at the ports of Hodeidah, Salif and Ras Issa; and strengthen its presence in the war-torn region. Hodeidah, the main port used to feed Yemen's 30 million people, has been the focus of fighting this year, raising fears abroad that a full-scale assault could cut off supplies to nearly 16 million people suffering from severe hunger. The deal reached in Sweden is meant to pave the way for a wider ceasefire in the impoverished country and the second round of talks in January on a framework for political negotiations. A Sunni Muslim Arab alliance led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates entered the war in 2015 against the Houthis to restore the internationally recognized government of Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, which was ousted from the capital Sanaa. The Houthis control most urban centres, including Sanaa, while Hadi's government is based in the southern port of Aden.

Advance UN truce monitors arrive in Yemen's Hodeidah

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will send his Syria peace negotiator to a conference in Russia next week, a spokesman said Saturday, despite the Syrian opposition&#39;s boycott of the meeting.

Guterres &quot;is confident that the Congress in Sochi will be an important contribution&quot; to reviving the peace talks held under UN auspices in Geneva, a UN spokesman said in a statement.

Russia had long sought UN participation in the conference opening Monday in the Black Sea resort of Sochi to lend credibility to its diplomatic efforts to end the six-year war.

Hours earlier, UN envoy Staffan de Mistura ended a ninth round of UN-sponsored talks in Vienna, with no sign of progress toward a peace deal.

&quot;I share the immense frustration of millions of Syrians inside and outside the country at the lack of a political settlement to date,&quot; De Mistura said.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric indicated that Guterres had received assurances that the Sochi conference would not seek to sideline the UN talks.&nbsp;

Guterres was briefed by De Mistura on the outcome of the Vienna talks, and has taken into account a statement from Russia that the result of the Sochi conference &quot;would be brought to Geneva as a contribution to the intra-Syrian talks process under the auspices of the United Nations,&quot; the spokesman said in a statement.

The UN chief has &quot;decided to accept the invitation of the Russian Federation to send a representative to attend the Sochi Congress&quot; and has asked De Mistura to go, he added.

Russia has invited more than 1,500 delegates to the two-day conference that the West views with suspicion.

In Vienna, the Syrian Negotiations Commission (SNC) announced it would not be attending the Sochi conference.

Assad&#39;s fate&nbsp;

The main opposition coalition fears that Russia will push a peace deal that will keep President Bashar al-Assad&#39;s authority intact after six years of bloodshed.

The Russian foreign ministry welcomed Guterres&#39; decision and said the Vienna talks had &quot;focused in particular on the problems of constitutional reform&quot; - a process that could determine whether or how Assad remains in power.

&quot;On these issues, a mutual agreement was reached between the Russian side and the UN representatives, on the sidelines of the Vienna meeting,&quot; said a foreign ministry statement issued in Moscow.

On the ground, Syrian forces have pressed on with an offensive in rebel-held Idlib launched in late December, with Russian backing.&nbsp;

Assad&#39;s forces were on the defensive in the first few years of the war, but since Russia militarily intervened in 2015 they have regained the upper hand.

The United States, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Britain and France have put forward a proposal that would involve strengthening the role of Syria&#39;s prime minister -- at the expense of Assad&#39;s authority, according to a leaked document circulated online.

Syrian government negotiator Bashar al-Jaafari told reporters in Vienna it was &quot;tantamount to a black comedy&quot; that these countries were seeking to shape Syria&#39;s political future.

&quot;All of them have participated in the bloodshed of the Syrian people,&quot; he said of the five nations, blasting the United States as the country &quot;that created ISIS,&quot; and adding that Saudi Arabia was anything but a &quot;beacon of freedom in the east.&quot;

Two weeks ago, Turkey launched air strikes and shelling against Kurdish militias in northern Syria, marking a dangerous new escalation in the conflict.

That development has raised tensions between Turkey - which along with Iran backs the Russian conference in Sochi - and the United States, which has supported the Kurdish militias in the campaign against the Islamic State (IS) group.

More than 340,000 people have died in the war, millions have fled their homes and the fighting has left the country in ruins. 
&nbsp;

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will send his Syria peace negotiator to a conference in Russia next week

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will send his Syria peace negotiator to a conference in Russia next week, a spokesman said Saturday, despite the Syrian opposition's boycott of the meeting. Guterres "is confident that the Congress in Sochi will be an important contribution" to reviving the peace talks held under UN auspices in Geneva, a UN spokesman said in a statement. Russia had long sought UN participation in the conference opening Monday in the Black Sea resort of Sochi to lend credibility to its diplomatic efforts to end the six-year war. Hours earlier, UN envoy Staffan de Mistura ended a ninth round of UN-sponsored talks in Vienna, with no sign of progress toward a peace deal. "I share the immense frustration of millions of Syrians inside and outside the country at the lack of a political settlement to date," De Mistura said. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric indicated that Guterres had received assurances that the Sochi conference would not seek to sideline the UN talks. Guterres was briefed by De Mistura on the outcome of the Vienna talks, and has taken into account a statement from Russia that the result of the Sochi conference "would be brought to Geneva as a contribution to the intra-Syrian talks process under the auspices of the United Nations," the spokesman said in a statement. The UN chief has "decided to accept the invitation of the Russian Federation to send a representative to attend the Sochi Congress" and has asked De Mistura to go, he added. Russia has invited more than 1,500 delegates to the two-day conference that the West views with suspicion. In Vienna, the Syrian Negotiations Commission (SNC) announced it would not be attending the Sochi conference. Assad's fate The main opposition coalition fears that Russia will push a peace deal that will keep President Bashar al-Assad's authority intact after six years of bloodshed. The Russian foreign ministry welcomed Guterres' decision and said the Vienna talks had "focused in particular on the problems of constitutional reform" - a process that could determine whether or how Assad remains in power. "On these issues, a mutual agreement was reached between the Russian side and the UN representatives, on the sidelines of the Vienna meeting," said a foreign ministry statement issued in Moscow. On the ground, Syrian forces have pressed on with an offensive in rebel-held Idlib launched in late December, with Russian backing. Assad's forces were on the defensive in the first few years of the war, but since Russia militarily intervened in 2015 they have regained the upper hand. The United States, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Britain and France have put forward a proposal that would involve strengthening the role of Syria's prime minister -- at the expense of Assad's authority, according to a leaked document circulated online. Syrian government negotiator Bashar al-Jaafari told reporters in Vienna it was "tantamount to a black comedy" that these countries were seeking to shape Syria's political future. "All of them have participated in the bloodshed of the Syrian people," he said of the five nations, blasting the United States as the country "that created ISIS," and adding that Saudi Arabia was anything but a "beacon of freedom in the east." Two weeks ago, Turkey launched air strikes and shelling against Kurdish militias in northern Syria, marking a dangerous new escalation in the conflict. That development has raised tensions between Turkey - which along with Iran backs the Russian conference in Sochi - and the United States, which has supported the Kurdish militias in the campaign against the Islamic State (IS) group. More than 340,000 people have died in the war, millions have fled their homes and the fighting has left the country in ruins.

UN will send Syria envoy to Russia conference

The recent incidents of sexual assault on young girls in India and Pakistan are &quot;heart breaking&quot;, the spokesperson of the UN chief said, underlining that the world body is trying to address the issue through access to education and women empowerment.

He was responding to questions on recent incidents of rapes in India and Pakistan.

In India, an eight-month-old baby girl was raped last week by her 28-year-old cousin in New Delhi, a shocking incident that outraged the nation.

While in Pakistan last month, a seven-year-old girl was brutally raped and murdered allegedly by a serial killer, triggering a national outcry.

&quot;I think these two cases you referred to are heartbreaking,&quot; Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said while answering a question on UN&#39;s advice for the two countries on this &quot;vicious cycle&quot;.

&quot;What is clear is that no country on this planet is immune from the scourge of violence against women, violence against girls.?We see it in all country, north, south, east and west,&quot; Dujarric said.

Through various programmes, through UN-Women, UNFPA [United Nations Population Fund], UNICEF [United Nations Children&#39;s Fund] and others, the UN is working with governments to try to get messages through to communities to respecting girls, to respecting women, he said.

&quot;It&#39;s about equal rights. It&#39;s about access to health. It&#39;s about access to education. It&#39;s about empowerment of women. Through a number of its development programmes, the UN is trying to face the issue,&quot; said the spokesperson of the UN Secretary General.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

'I think these two cases you referred to are heartbreaking,' Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said

The recent incidents of sexual assault on young girls in India and Pakistan are "heart breaking", the spokesperson of the UN chief said, underlining that the world body is trying to address the issue through access to education and women empowerment. He was responding to questions on recent incidents of rapes in India and Pakistan. In India, an eight-month-old baby girl was raped last week by her 28-year-old cousin in New Delhi, a shocking incident that outraged the nation. While in Pakistan last month, a seven-year-old girl was brutally raped and murdered allegedly by a serial killer, triggering a national outcry. "I think these two cases you referred to are heartbreaking," Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said while answering a question on UN's advice for the two countries on this "vicious cycle". "What is clear is that no country on this planet is immune from the scourge of violence against women, violence against girls.?We see it in all country, north, south, east and west," Dujarric said. Through various programmes, through UN-Women, UNFPA [United Nations Population Fund], UNICEF [United Nations Children's Fund] and others, the UN is working with governments to try to get messages through to communities to respecting girls, to respecting women, he said. "It's about equal rights. It's about access to health. It's about access to education. It's about empowerment of women. Through a number of its development programmes, the UN is trying to face the issue," said the spokesperson of the UN Secretary General.

Sexual assaults on young girls in India, Pakistan 'heartbreaking': UN