The United Nations Security Council has unanimously passed a resolution to bar weapons sales in violence-hit Haiti.

The resolution, proposed by Mexico and the US on Friday, calls on UN member states to prohibit the sale of small arms, light weapons and ammunition to what it calls "non-state actors". China had proposed a full embargo on weapon sales, but it was rejected.

It has also made provisions for sanctions in the form of travel bans and asset freezes against Haiti's gang leaders and human rights abuses.

The Caribbean island is embroiled in a bitter feud between rival gangs in the Cité Soleil near the capital Port-au-Prince. According to data by the UN humanitarian affairs coordination office in Haiti, at least 99 people have died and more than 130 injured since last week.

On Saturday, the UN said 234 people were killed or injured by gang violence between July 8 and 12.

The city’s ill-equipped and understaffed police failed to thwart the violence and the residents have been trapped in their homes, unable to go out for even food and water.

Many victims fell to stray bullets as their makeshift houses are made of sheet metal, which offers little resistance. Moreover, ambulances were unable to reach those in need, AFP news agency reported.

"Most of the victims were not directly involved in gangs and were directly targeted by gang elements," UN spokesperson Jeremy Laurence said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/234-dead-thousands-trapped-without-food-water-or-fuel-haiti-descends-into-chaos-and-anarchy-498066" hreflang="en">234 dead, thousands trapped without food, water or fuel; Haiti descends into chaos and anarchy</a>

Laurence further said that incidents of sexual violence are also being reported across the country.

The poorest nation has been unable to contain gang violence that erupted since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse by mercenaries a year ago.

Apart from a spike in bloodshed, Haiti has also been gripped by soaring food prices and fuel shortages.

Hundreds of protesters staged a mass demonstration demanding urgent action to restore the supply of petrol after Haiti's main fuel terminal suspended its operations during a severe wave of gang violence last week.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

The United Nations Security Council has unanimously passed a resolution to bar weapons sales in violence-hit Haiti. The resolution, proposed by Mexico and the US on Friday, calls on UN member states to prohibit the sale of small arms, light weapons and ammunition to what it calls "non-state actors".

The United Nations Security Council has unanimously passed a resolution to bar weapons sales in violence-hit Haiti. The resolution, proposed by Mexico and the US on Friday, calls on UN member states to prohibit the sale of small arms, light weapons and ammunition to what it calls "non-state actors". China had proposed a full embargo on weapon sales, but it was rejected. It has also made provisions for sanctions in the form of travel bans and asset freezes against Haiti's gang leaders and human rights abuses. The Caribbean island is embroiled in a bitter feud between rival gangs in the Cité Soleil near the capital Port-au-Prince. According to data by the UN humanitarian affairs coordination office in Haiti, at least 99 people have died and more than 130 injured since last week. On Saturday, the UN said 234 people were killed or injured by gang violence between July 8 and 12. The city’s ill-equipped and understaffed police failed to thwart the violence and the residents have been trapped in their homes, unable to go out for even food and water. Many victims fell to stray bullets as their makeshift houses are made of sheet metal, which offers little resistance. Moreover, ambulances were unable to reach those in need, AFP news agency reported. "Most of the victims were not directly involved in gangs and were directly targeted by gang elements," UN spokesperson Jeremy Laurence said. Also read | 234 dead, thousands trapped without food, water or fuel; Haiti descends into chaos and anarchy Laurence further said that incidents of sexual violence are also being reported across the country. The poorest nation has been unable to contain gang violence that erupted since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse by mercenaries a year ago. Apart from a spike in bloodshed, Haiti has also been gripped by soaring food prices and fuel shortages. Hundreds of protesters staged a mass demonstration demanding urgent action to restore the supply of petrol after Haiti's main fuel terminal suspended its operations during a severe wave of gang violence last week. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

‘Alarmed’ over Haiti gang violence, UN Security Council bars sale of small arms

The United States called on Friday for&nbsp;tougher&nbsp;international&nbsp;sanctions&nbsp;against&nbsp;North Korea at the&nbsp;UN&nbsp;Security&nbsp;Council, accusing Pyongyang of "increasingly dangerous provocations" after it test-fired its largest-ever intercontinental ballistic missile.

"The United States&nbsp;calls&nbsp;on all member states to fully implement the existing&nbsp;Security&nbsp;Council&nbsp;resolutions," US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said during the meeting convened to discuss North Korea.

"Because of DPRK's increasingly dangerous provocations, the United States will be introducing a...&nbsp;Security&nbsp;Council&nbsp;resolution to update and strengthen the&nbsp;sanctions&nbsp;regime" that was adopted in December 2017, she said, using the official acronym for North Korea.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/north-korea-tests-new-icbm-465382">In Pics: What is new ICBM tested by North Korea giving sleepless nights to US</a>

At the time "the&nbsp;council&nbsp;decided we would take further action in the event of a DPRK ICBM launch," Thomas-Greenfield said.

"This is precisely what happened. So now is the time to take that action."

The unanimously adopted text was voted on a month after Pyongyang fired its last previous intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the Hwasong-15, which was deemed powerful enough to reach the continental United States.

Following Friday's meeting, a group of 15 nations including permanent&nbsp;Security&nbsp;Council&nbsp;members Britain, France and the US -- but minus China and Russia -- released a joint statement condemning Pyongyang's latest launch "in the strongest terms" and warning it "poses a threat" to the entire international community.

"The DPRK is demonstrating its determination to continue advancing its weapons program as it escalates its provocative behavior -- and yet the&nbsp;Council&nbsp;has remained silent," said the countries, which include non-permanent&nbsp;Security&nbsp;Council&nbsp;members Brazil, Ireland and Norway, as well as Germany, Japan and South Korea.

The statement urged&nbsp;UN&nbsp;states, especially&nbsp;Security&nbsp;Council&nbsp;members, "to join us in condemning this behavior and in urging the DPRK to abandon its weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs and engage in diplomacy toward denuclearization."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-north-koreas-goes-hollywood-in-new-missile-launch-video-twitteratis-give-it-top-gun-spin-465464">Watch: North Korea goes Hollywood in new missile launch video, Twitterati give it a ‘Top Gun’ spin</a>

China addressed the&nbsp;Security&nbsp;Council&nbsp;meeting and urged "prudence and reason" regarding North Korea.

"All is not quiet on the international front. No parties should take any action that would lead to greater tensions," China's&nbsp;UN&nbsp;ambassador Zhang Jun said.

Russia, for its part, warned&nbsp;against&nbsp;following Washington's lead on tightening&nbsp;sanctions.

Deputy Russian envoy to the&nbsp;UN&nbsp;Anna Evstigneeva said Moscow believes that doing so would "go beyond the framework of cutting off financing" for the DPRK missile and nuclear programs and would "threaten North Korean citizens with unacceptable socio-economic and humanitarian problems."

In 2018, North Korean leader Kim Jong&nbsp;Un&nbsp;formalized a moratorium on nuclear testing and long-range ballistic missile launches, stating that his goals had been met and proclaiming his country a fully nuclear state.

He nonetheless personally supervised Thursday's launch, which state media outlet KCNA reported was meant to ensure the country is ready for "long-standing confrontation" with the United States.

The Group of Seven nations and the EU on Friday condemned what they said was North Korea's "blatant violation" of its obligations under&nbsp;Security&nbsp;Council&nbsp;resolutions.

Watch |&nbsp;North Korea tests massive ballistic missile: Why has Kim Jong Un tested dozens missiles in 2022?

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/north-korea-tests-massive-ballistic-missile-why-has-kim-jong-un-tested-dozens-missiles-in-2022-465397/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The United States called on Friday for tougher international sanctions against North Korea at the UN Security Council, accusing Pyongyang of "increasingly dangerous provocations" after it test-fired its largest-ever intercontinental ballistic missile.

The United States called on Friday for tougher international sanctions against North Korea at the UN Security Council, accusing Pyongyang of "increasingly dangerous provocations" after it test-fired its largest-ever intercontinental ballistic missile. "The United States calls on all member states to fully implement the existing Security Council resolutions," US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said during the meeting convened to discuss North Korea. "Because of DPRK's increasingly dangerous provocations, the United States will be introducing a... Security Council resolution to update and strengthen the sanctions regime" that was adopted in December 2017, she said, using the official acronym for North Korea. Also read | In Pics: What is new ICBM tested by North Korea giving sleepless nights to US At the time "the council decided we would take further action in the event of a DPRK ICBM launch," Thomas-Greenfield said. "This is precisely what happened. So now is the time to take that action." The unanimously adopted text was voted on a month after Pyongyang fired its last previous intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the Hwasong-15, which was deemed powerful enough to reach the continental United States. Following Friday's meeting, a group of 15 nations including permanent Security Council members Britain, France and the US -- but minus China and Russia -- released a joint statement condemning Pyongyang's latest launch "in the strongest terms" and warning it "poses a threat" to the entire international community. "The DPRK is demonstrating its determination to continue advancing its weapons program as it escalates its provocative behavior -- and yet the Council has remained silent," said the countries, which include non-permanent Security Council members Brazil, Ireland and Norway, as well as Germany, Japan and South Korea. The statement urged UN states, especially Security Council members, "to join us in condemning this behavior and in urging the DPRK to abandon its weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs and engage in diplomacy toward denuclearization." Also read | Watch: North Korea goes Hollywood in new missile launch video, Twitterati give it a ‘Top Gun’ spin China addressed the Security Council meeting and urged "prudence and reason" regarding North Korea. "All is not quiet on the international front. No parties should take any action that would lead to greater tensions," China's UN ambassador Zhang Jun said. Russia, for its part, warned against following Washington's lead on tightening sanctions. Deputy Russian envoy to the UN Anna Evstigneeva said Moscow believes that doing so would "go beyond the framework of cutting off financing" for the DPRK missile and nuclear programs and would "threaten North Korean citizens with unacceptable socio-economic and humanitarian problems." In 2018, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un formalized a moratorium on nuclear testing and long-range ballistic missile launches, stating that his goals had been met and proclaiming his country a fully nuclear state. He nonetheless personally supervised Thursday's launch, which state media outlet KCNA reported was meant to ensure the country is ready for "long-standing confrontation" with the United States. The Group of Seven nations and the EU on Friday condemned what they said was North Korea's "blatant violation" of its obligations under Security Council resolutions. Watch | North Korea tests massive ballistic missile: Why has Kim Jong Un tested dozens missiles in 2022?

US calls for tougher UN Security Council sanctions against North Korea

India has taken over the rotating Presidency of the UN Security Council for the month of August with plans to focus on Maritime security, peacekeeping and counterterrorism efforts.

India begins UNSC presidency; focus on maritime security, peacekeeping and counterterrorism

UN&nbsp;Security&nbsp;Council members on Thursday backed African&nbsp;Union mediation efforts between Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan in a dispute over the operation of a giant hydropower dam on the Blue Nile in Ethiopia, urging the parties to resume talks.

Egypt and Sudan both called on the UN&nbsp;Security&nbsp;Council to help resolve the dispute after Ethiopia earlier this week began filling the reservoir behind its Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) for a second year. Ethiopia is opposed to any&nbsp;Security&nbsp;Council involvement.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ethiopia-resumes-filling-nile-mega-dam-reservoir-angering-downstream-nations-396546">Ethiopia resumes filling Nile mega-dam reservoir, angering downstream nations</a>

"A balanced and equitable solution to the filling and operation of the GERD can be reached with political commitment from all parties," US&nbsp;Ambassador to the&nbsp;United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, told the council.

"This begins with the resumption of productive substantive negotiations. Those negotiations should be held&nbsp;under the leadership of the African&nbsp;Union, and should recommence with urgency," she said, adding that the African&nbsp;Union "is the most appropriate venue to address this dispute."

Many council diplomats were wary of involving the body in the dispute - beyond holding the meeting on Thursday - as they are concerned it could set a precedent that could allow other countries to seek&nbsp;Security&nbsp;Council help with water disputes.

Ethiopia says the dam is crucial to its economic development and to provide power. But Egypt views it as a grave threat to its Nile water supplies, on which it is almost entirely dependant. Sudan, also downstream, has expressed concern about the dam's safety and impact on its own dams and water stations.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-nile-dam-talks-fail-again-375968/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Tunisia has proposed a draft&nbsp;Security&nbsp;Council resolution that would call for a binding agreement between Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt on the operation of the giant dam within six months. It was not clear if or when it could be put to a vote.

Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry called on the&nbsp;Security&nbsp;Council to adopt the resolution.

"We do not expect the council to formulate solutions to the outstanding legal and technical issues, nor do we request that the council impose the terms of a settlement," he said. "This resolution is political in nature and its purpose ... is to re-launch negotiations."

Sudan's Foreign Minister Mariam Sadiq al-Mahdi also urged the council to act by calling for a resumption of negotiations and on Ethiopia to abstain from any&nbsp;unilateral measures.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sudan-asks-un-security-council-to-meet-over-ethiopias-controversial-blue-nile-dam-393247">Sudan asks UN Security Council to meet over Ethiopia's controversial Blue Nile dam</a>

Ethiopia's Minister of Water, Irrigation and Energy, Seleshi Bekele Awulachew, said an agreement on the operation of the $5 billion dam is "within reach" and he described it as regrettable that Egypt and Sudan pushed for the&nbsp;Security&nbsp;Council meeting.

"We urge our Egyptian and Sudanese brothers and sisters to&nbsp;understand that the resolution to the Nile issue will not come from the&nbsp;Security&nbsp;Council. It can only come from good faith negotiations," he told the council.

Russian UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia suggested the countries meet while in New York to try to resolve some issues.

UN Security Council members on Thursday backed African Union mediation efforts between Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan in a dispute over the operation of a giant hydropower dam on the Blue Nile in Ethiopia, urging the parties to resume talks.

UN Security Council members on Thursday backed African Union mediation efforts between Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan in a dispute over the operation of a giant hydropower dam on the Blue Nile in Ethiopia, urging the parties to resume talks. Egypt and Sudan both called on the UN Security Council to help resolve the dispute after Ethiopia earlier this week began filling the reservoir behind its Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) for a second year. Ethiopia is opposed to any Security Council involvement. Also read | Ethiopia resumes filling Nile mega-dam reservoir, angering downstream nations "A balanced and equitable solution to the filling and operation of the GERD can be reached with political commitment from all parties," US Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, told the council. "This begins with the resumption of productive substantive negotiations. Those negotiations should be held under the leadership of the African Union, and should recommence with urgency," she said, adding that the African Union "is the most appropriate venue to address this dispute." Many council diplomats were wary of involving the body in the dispute - beyond holding the meeting on Thursday - as they are concerned it could set a precedent that could allow other countries to seek Security Council help with water disputes. Ethiopia says the dam is crucial to its economic development and to provide power. But Egypt views it as a grave threat to its Nile water supplies, on which it is almost entirely dependant. Sudan, also downstream, has expressed concern about the dam's safety and impact on its own dams and water stations. Tunisia has proposed a draft Security Council resolution that would call for a binding agreement between Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt on the operation of the giant dam within six months. It was not clear if or when it could be put to a vote. Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry called on the Security Council to adopt the resolution. "We do not expect the council to formulate solutions to the outstanding legal and technical issues, nor do we request that the council impose the terms of a settlement," he said. "This resolution is political in nature and its purpose ... is to re-launch negotiations." Sudan's Foreign Minister Mariam Sadiq al-Mahdi also urged the council to act by calling for a resumption of negotiations and on Ethiopia to abstain from any unilateral measures. Also read | Sudan asks UN Security Council to meet over Ethiopia's controversial Blue Nile dam Ethiopia's Minister of Water, Irrigation and Energy, Seleshi Bekele Awulachew, said an agreement on the operation of the $5 billion dam is "within reach" and he described it as regrettable that Egypt and Sudan pushed for the Security Council meeting. "We urge our Egyptian and Sudanese brothers and sisters to understand that the resolution to the Nile issue will not come from the Security Council. It can only come from good faith negotiations," he told the council. Russian UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia suggested the countries meet while in New York to try to resolve some issues.

UN Security Council backs African Union bid to broker Ethiopia dam deal

Arab states are calling on the UN&nbsp;Security Council to discuss the dispute over&nbsp;Ethiopia's plan to fill a giant dam it is building on the Blue Nile, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit said on Tuesday after a foreign ministers' meeting.

Ethiopia&nbsp;is pinning its hopes of economic development and power generation on the dam. Egypt relies on the river for as much as 90 per cent&nbsp;of its fresh water and sees the dam as an existential threat. Sudan is concerned about the operation of its own Nile dams and water stations.

The ministers, meeting in Qatar, agreed on "steps to be taken gradually" to support Egypt and Sudan in the dispute, Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani told a news conference, without giving details.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-nile-dam-talks-fail-again-375968/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The Arab states called on&nbsp;Ethiopia&nbsp;to negotiate "in good faith" and refrain from any unilateral steps that would harm Egypt and Sudan.

Such steps included completing the second phase of filling the dam's reservoir in the rainy season this year without an agreement on filling and operating the dam, the Arab League said in a statement.

Ethiopia&nbsp;rejected the Arab League resolution in its entirety, its Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The country previously rejected calls from Egypt and Sudan to involve mediators outside the African Union.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sudan-warns-of-legal-action-against-ethiopia-over-dam-379743">Sudan warns of legal action against Ethiopia over dam</a>

Sudan and Egypt had already agreed this month to work together on all levels to push&nbsp;Ethiopia&nbsp;to negotiate "seriously" on an agreement after African Union-sponsored talks remained deadlocked.

The two countries downstream from the Grand&nbsp;Ethiopian Renaissance Dam called on the international community to intervene. Aboul Gheit described the water security of Egypt and Sudan as an integral part of Arab national security.

Sudan said on Monday it was open to a partial interim agreement on the multibillion-dollar dam, with specific conditions.

Tuesday's meeting was the first such gathering of Arab states that Qatar has hosted since Saudi Arabia and its allies imposed a boycott on Doha in mid-2017 over accusations that Qatar supported terrorism, a charge it denies.

Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt agreed in January to restore diplomatic, trade and travel ties with Doha.

Arab states are calling on the UN Security Council to discuss the dispute over Ethiopia's plan to fill a giant dam it is building on the Blue Nile, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit said on Tuesday after a foreign ministers' meeting.

Arab states are calling on the UN Security Council to discuss the dispute over Ethiopia's plan to fill a giant dam it is building on the Blue Nile, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit said on Tuesday after a foreign ministers' meeting. Ethiopia is pinning its hopes of economic development and power generation on the dam. Egypt relies on the river for as much as 90 per cent of its fresh water and sees the dam as an existential threat. Sudan is concerned about the operation of its own Nile dams and water stations. The ministers, meeting in Qatar, agreed on "steps to be taken gradually" to support Egypt and Sudan in the dispute, Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani told a news conference, without giving details. The Arab states called on Ethiopia to negotiate "in good faith" and refrain from any unilateral steps that would harm Egypt and Sudan. Such steps included completing the second phase of filling the dam's reservoir in the rainy season this year without an agreement on filling and operating the dam, the Arab League said in a statement. Ethiopia rejected the Arab League resolution in its entirety, its Foreign Ministry said in a statement. The country previously rejected calls from Egypt and Sudan to involve mediators outside the African Union. Also read | Sudan warns of legal action against Ethiopia over dam Sudan and Egypt had already agreed this month to work together on all levels to push Ethiopia to negotiate "seriously" on an agreement after African Union-sponsored talks remained deadlocked. The two countries downstream from the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam called on the international community to intervene. Aboul Gheit described the water security of Egypt and Sudan as an integral part of Arab national security. Sudan said on Monday it was open to a partial interim agreement on the multibillion-dollar dam, with specific conditions. Tuesday's meeting was the first such gathering of Arab states that Qatar has hosted since Saudi Arabia and its allies imposed a boycott on Doha in mid-2017 over accusations that Qatar supported terrorism, a charge it denies. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt agreed in January to restore diplomatic, trade and travel ties with Doha.

Arab states call on UN Security Council to meet over controversial Ethiopian dam on Blue Nile

The UN General Assembly elected Albania, Brazil, Gabon, Ghana, and the United Arab Emirates to the United Nations Security Council on Friday for a two-year term starting on Jan. 1, 2022.

All five countries ran unopposed for a spot on the 15-member body, which is charged with maintaining international peace and security. They will replace Estonia, Niger, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Tunisia and Vietnam.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/in-a-first-indian-diplomat-nagaraj-naidu-to-be-unga-presidents-chef-de-cabinet-390683">In a first, Indian diplomat Nagaraj Naidu to be UNGA President's Chef de Cabinet</a>

To ensure geographical representation, seats are allocated to regional groups. But even if candidates are running unopposed in their group, they still need to win the support of more than two-thirds of the UN&nbsp;General Assembly.

Ghana received 185 votes, Gabon 183 votes, UAE 179 votes, Albania 175 votes and Brazil 181 votes.

The Security Council is the only UN body that can make legally binding decisions like imposing sanctions and authorizing use of force. It has five permanent veto-wielding members - the United States, Britain, France, China and Russia.

The UN General Assembly elected Albania, Brazil, Gabon, Ghana, and the United Arab Emirates to the United Nations Security Council on Friday for a two-year term starting on Jan.

The UN General Assembly elected Albania, Brazil, Gabon, Ghana, and the United Arab Emirates to the United Nations Security Council on Friday for a two-year term starting on Jan. 1, 2022. All five countries ran unopposed for a spot on the 15-member body, which is charged with maintaining international peace and security. They will replace Estonia, Niger, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Tunisia and Vietnam. Also read | In a first, Indian diplomat Nagaraj Naidu to be UNGA President's Chef de Cabinet To ensure geographical representation, seats are allocated to regional groups. But even if candidates are running unopposed in their group, they still need to win the support of more than two-thirds of the UN General Assembly. Ghana received 185 votes, Gabon 183 votes, UAE 179 votes, Albania 175 votes and Brazil 181 votes. The Security Council is the only UN body that can make legally binding decisions like imposing sanctions and authorizing use of force. It has five permanent veto-wielding members - the United States, Britain, France, China and Russia.

Albania, Brazil, Gabon, Ghana, UAE elected to UN Security Council

The&nbsp;UN&nbsp;Security&nbsp;Council&nbsp;called Friday for an immediate end to violence in&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;as stated in an&nbsp;ASEAN&nbsp;plan, giving unanimous approval to a statement watered down to satisfy China and Russia.

The&nbsp;plan, which also&nbsp;calls&nbsp;for the naming of an envoy from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to address the crisis triggered by the February 1 military coup, should be applied "without delay," the&nbsp;council&nbsp;statement says.

It was approved after a closed-door meeting of the&nbsp;council&nbsp;and forced Western countries to make concessions to China,&nbsp;Myanmar's main backer,&nbsp;and Russia to win passage.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/myanmar-protesters-march-three-months-after-coup-un-warns-of-standstill-381881">Myanmar protesters march three months after coup; UN warns of 'standstill'</a>

At their request, the&nbsp;council&nbsp;eliminated clauses that said it "once again strongly condemned violence against peaceful protestors" and "reiterated their call on the military to exercise utmost restraint."

A diplomat speaking on condition of anonymity explained the changes saying "what we must avoid is losing&nbsp;council&nbsp;unity to the point of making it irrelevant."

Since the coup in&nbsp;Myanmar, the&nbsp;council&nbsp;has approved four statements on the crisis including this latest one of Friday. All of them were toned down under pressure from China.

Friday's session was convened by Vietnam to present the conclusions of a recent&nbsp;ASEAN&nbsp;summit in Indonesia.&nbsp;

The statement that was ultimately passed&nbsp;calls&nbsp;for the&nbsp;UN&nbsp;Special Envoy to&nbsp;Myanmar, Christine Schraner Burgener, who is currently touring the region, to be able to visit&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;"as soon as possible."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/half-of-myanmars-population-could-face-poverty-due-to-pandemic-coup-un-381661">Half of Myanmar's population could face poverty due to pandemic, coup: UN</a>

Schraner Burgener gave a report on her long meeting with&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;junta leader General Min Aung Hlaing, held on the sidelines of the&nbsp;ASEAN&nbsp;meeting last weekend.

Diplomats said the envoy, who is currently based in Bangkok, once again had her request for a&nbsp;visit&nbsp;to&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;denied. &nbsp;

During the meeting, Brunei, which currently holds the presidency of&nbsp;ASEAN, floated the idea of a joint visit to&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;by the&nbsp;UN&nbsp;envoy and her future&nbsp;ASEAN&nbsp;counterpart.

"We estimate around 20,000 internal displacements and almost 10,000 fleeing to neighboring countries since February. The regional implications require urgent action," Schraner Burgener told the&nbsp;council, according to the text of her speech, which was seen by AFP.

"The common aspiration for democracy has united the people of&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;across religious, ethnic and communal divides like never before. Such strong unity has created unexpected difficulties for the military in consolidating power and stabilizing the coup," she added.&nbsp;

Nearly 760 civilians have been killed by police and soldiers in the past three months, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP).&nbsp;

The junta puts the death toll at 258 dead by April 15, calling the demonstrators "rioters" who engaged in "acts of terrorism".

The UN Security Council called Friday for an immediate end to violence in Myanmar as stated in an ASEAN plan, giving unanimous approval to a statement watered down to satisfy China and Russia.

The UN Security Council called Friday for an immediate end to violence in Myanmar as stated in an ASEAN plan, giving unanimous approval to a statement watered down to satisfy China and Russia. The plan, which also calls for the naming of an envoy from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to address the crisis triggered by the February 1 military coup, should be applied "without delay," the council statement says. It was approved after a closed-door meeting of the council and forced Western countries to make concessions to China, Myanmar's main backer, and Russia to win passage. Also read | Myanmar protesters march three months after coup; UN warns of 'standstill' At their request, the council eliminated clauses that said it "once again strongly condemned violence against peaceful protestors" and "reiterated their call on the military to exercise utmost restraint." A diplomat speaking on condition of anonymity explained the changes saying "what we must avoid is losing council unity to the point of making it irrelevant." Since the coup in Myanmar, the council has approved four statements on the crisis including this latest one of Friday. All of them were toned down under pressure from China. Friday's session was convened by Vietnam to present the conclusions of a recent ASEAN summit in Indonesia. The statement that was ultimately passed calls for the UN Special Envoy to Myanmar, Christine Schraner Burgener, who is currently touring the region, to be able to visit Myanmar "as soon as possible." Also read | Half of Myanmar's population could face poverty due to pandemic, coup: UN Schraner Burgener gave a report on her long meeting with Myanmar junta leader General Min Aung Hlaing, held on the sidelines of the ASEAN meeting last weekend. Diplomats said the envoy, who is currently based in Bangkok, once again had her request for a visit to Myanmar denied. During the meeting, Brunei, which currently holds the presidency of ASEAN, floated the idea of a joint visit to Myanmar by the UN envoy and her future ASEAN counterpart. "We estimate around 20,000 internal displacements and almost 10,000 fleeing to neighboring countries since February. The regional implications require urgent action," Schraner Burgener told the council, according to the text of her speech, which was seen by AFP. "The common aspiration for democracy has united the people of Myanmar across religious, ethnic and communal divides like never before. Such strong unity has created unexpected difficulties for the military in consolidating power and stabilizing the coup," she added. Nearly 760 civilians have been killed by police and soldiers in the past three months, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP). The junta puts the death toll at 258 dead by April 15, calling the demonstrators "rioters" who engaged in "acts of terrorism".

UN Security Council calls for ASEAN Myanmar plan to be enacted

Alphabet Inc's&nbsp;YouTube&nbsp;has removed five channels of Myanmar's military-run television networks hosted on its platform in the wake of the coup in the Southeast Asian country.

"We have terminated a number of channels and removed several videos from&nbsp;YouTube&nbsp;in accordance with our community guidelines and applicable laws," a&nbsp;YouTube&nbsp;spokeswoman said in a statement in response to a Reuters question.

The channels taken down include the state network, MRTV, (Myanma Radio and Television) as well as the military-owned Myawaddy Media, MWD Variety and MWD Myanmar,&nbsp;YouTube&nbsp;said.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/sources-myanmar-military-rulers-attempted-to-move-us-funds-368111/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Their removal comes during the bloodiest week so far of anti-coup protests, with 38 people killed on Wednesday, according to the United Nations, as security forces tried to crush rallies and used live rounds in some areas.

The army seized power on February&nbsp;1, alleging mass fraud in the November election won by Aung San Suu Kyi's government. The election commission said the vote was fair, but the military has used media to make its case and justify the takeover.

MRTV pages were banned by Facebook in February, while it had previously barred Myawaddy in 2018 when it banned army chief Min Aung Hlaing - now the military ruler - and more than a dozen other senior officers and organisations on the platform.

Facebook has now banned all pages linked to Myanmar’s army and was itself banned by the junta in February.

Other social media platforms are also grappling with how to moderate military content and proliferation of hate speech and misinformation in Myanmar.

Reuters reported on Thursday that Myanmar soldiers and police were using TikTok to deliver death threats to protesters.

Researchers have said that after the Facebook ban the military was trying to build its presence on other platforms.

YouTube&nbsp;had faced criticism from researchers and civil society groups for a comparatively hands-off approach during Myanmar's November&nbsp;8 vote.

A Reuters review found dozens of channels hosted on&nbsp;YouTube&nbsp;that had promoted election misinformation while posing either as news outlets or political programmes.

Google said in December it had terminated 34&nbsp;YouTube&nbsp;channels following an investigation into coordinated influence operations linked to Myanmar.

Alphabet Inc's YouTube has removed five channels of Myanmar's military-run television networks hosted on its platform in the wake of the coup in the Southeast Asian country.

Alphabet Inc's YouTube has removed five channels of Myanmar's military-run television networks hosted on its platform in the wake of the coup in the Southeast Asian country. "We have terminated a number of channels and removed several videos from YouTube in accordance with our community guidelines and applicable laws," a YouTube spokeswoman said in a statement in response to a Reuters question. The channels taken down include the state network, MRTV, (Myanma Radio and Television) as well as the military-owned Myawaddy Media, MWD Variety and MWD Myanmar, YouTube said. Their removal comes during the bloodiest week so far of anti-coup protests, with 38 people killed on Wednesday, according to the United Nations, as security forces tried to crush rallies and used live rounds in some areas. The army seized power on February 1, alleging mass fraud in the November election won by Aung San Suu Kyi's government. The election commission said the vote was fair, but the military has used media to make its case and justify the takeover. MRTV pages were banned by Facebook in February, while it had previously barred Myawaddy in 2018 when it banned army chief Min Aung Hlaing - now the military ruler - and more than a dozen other senior officers and organisations on the platform. Facebook has now banned all pages linked to Myanmar’s army and was itself banned by the junta in February. Other social media platforms are also grappling with how to moderate military content and proliferation of hate speech and misinformation in Myanmar. Reuters reported on Thursday that Myanmar soldiers and police were using TikTok to deliver death threats to protesters. Researchers have said that after the Facebook ban the military was trying to build its presence on other platforms. YouTube had faced criticism from researchers and civil society groups for a comparatively hands-off approach during Myanmar's November 8 vote. A Reuters review found dozens of channels hosted on YouTube that had promoted election misinformation while posing either as news outlets or political programmes. Google said in December it had terminated 34 YouTube channels following an investigation into coordinated influence operations linked to Myanmar.

YouTube removes five Myanmar TV channels from platform

India reportedly called out Pakistan's links with terror groups, which is the Al-Qaeda, during the United States Security Council meeting. Indian envoy to the UN said Pak is providing safe heaven to terror organizations.

India at UN Security Council: Pakistan provides safe heaven to Al-Qaeda

The United Nations Security Council on Thursday issued a press statement expressing concern over the developments in Myanmar and called for the release of State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint.

UN Security Council calls for release of Suu Kyi, voices concern for Myanmar

India has been assigned the chairmanship of 3 bodies in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). India has been given the command of the Taliban Sanctions, Anti-Terrorism Committee.

India to chair 3 key committees of UN Security Council in 2021-22

Just hours after the assassination of a top Iranian nuclear scientist, Tehran demanded the United Nations Security Council condemn the killing and take action against those responsible, but diplomats say the call is likely to go unheeded.

At a minimum, the 15-member body could discuss Friday's killing of nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh behind closed doors if a member requests such a meeting or it could agree on - by consensus - a statement on the issue.

But South Africa's U.N. ambassador, Jerry Matjila, council president for December, said on Tuesday that no member had so far requested to discuss the killing of Iran in general. Diplomats also said there had been no discussion of a statement.

The Security Council is charged with maintaining international peace and security and has the ability to authorize military action and impose sanctions. But such measures require at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the United States, France, Britain, Russia or China.

While no party has claimed responsibility for the killing of Fakhrizadeh - viewed by Western powers as the architect of Iran's abandoned nuclear weapons program - Iran has accused Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office has declined to comment.

The United States traditionally shields Israel from any action at the Security Council. Washington has declined to comment on the assassination of the scientist.

The U.N. investigator on extra-judicial executions, Agnes Callamard, said on Friday that many questions surrounded the killing of Fakhrizadeh, but noted the definition of an extraterritorial targeted killing outside of an armed conflict.

Callamard posted on Twitter that such killing was "a violation of international human rights law prohibiting the arbitrary deprivation of life and a violation of the U.N. Charter prohibiting the use of force extraterritorially in times of peace."

Iran also addressed its letter on Friday to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. In response, Guterres urged restraint and condemned "any assassination or extrajudicial killing," U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Saturday.

The Security Council is due to meet on Dec. 22 for its biannual meeting on compliance with a resolution that enshrines a 2015 nuclear accord between world powers and Iran, which U.S. President Donald Trump's administration quit in 2018.

Any council member or Iran could choose to raise the killing of Fakhrizadeh during that meeting.

Just hours after the assassination of a top Iranian nuclear scientist, Tehran demanded the United Nations Security Council condemn the killing and take action against those responsible, but diplomats say the call is likely to go unheeded.

Just hours after the assassination of a top Iranian nuclear scientist, Tehran demanded the United Nations Security Council condemn the killing and take action against those responsible, but diplomats say the call is likely to go unheeded. At a minimum, the 15-member body could discuss Friday's killing of nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh behind closed doors if a member requests such a meeting or it could agree on - by consensus - a statement on the issue. But South Africa's U.N. ambassador, Jerry Matjila, council president for December, said on Tuesday that no member had so far requested to discuss the killing of Iran in general. Diplomats also said there had been no discussion of a statement. The Security Council is charged with maintaining international peace and security and has the ability to authorize military action and impose sanctions. But such measures require at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the United States, France, Britain, Russia or China. While no party has claimed responsibility for the killing of Fakhrizadeh - viewed by Western powers as the architect of Iran's abandoned nuclear weapons program - Iran has accused Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office has declined to comment. The United States traditionally shields Israel from any action at the Security Council. Washington has declined to comment on the assassination of the scientist. The U.N. investigator on extra-judicial executions, Agnes Callamard, said on Friday that many questions surrounded the killing of Fakhrizadeh, but noted the definition of an extraterritorial targeted killing outside of an armed conflict. Callamard posted on Twitter that such killing was "a violation of international human rights law prohibiting the arbitrary deprivation of life and a violation of the U.N. Charter prohibiting the use of force extraterritorially in times of peace." Iran also addressed its letter on Friday to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. In response, Guterres urged restraint and condemned "any assassination or extrajudicial killing," U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Saturday. The Security Council is due to meet on Dec. 22 for its biannual meeting on compliance with a resolution that enshrines a 2015 nuclear accord between world powers and Iran, which U.S. President Donald Trump's administration quit in 2018. Any council member or Iran could choose to raise the killing of Fakhrizadeh during that meeting.

UN Security Council unlikely to act on Iran scientist killing: Diplomats 

UN General Assembly president Volkan Bozkir on Tuesday criticised the Security Council, saying it was failing to respond to the world's biggest challenges due to "competing interests."

There has been growing criticism of the body, which has not been reformed in decades.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-plus-united-nations-a-redundant-body-330503/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"The council has, on many occasions, failed to carry out its responsibility to maintain international peace and security," Bozkir, a Turkish diplomat, said at a debate on reforming the body.

"Competing interests among its members and frequent use of the veto have limited the Security Council's effectiveness. Even in some of the most urgent humanitarian crises, the council could not provide a timely and adequate response."

Earlier,&nbsp;French President Emmanuel Macron&nbsp;on&nbsp;Monday called&nbsp;for an overhaul of international cooperation mechanisms adding that the&nbsp;United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is out of ''useful solutions''.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-nations-security-council-out-of-useful-solutions-says-emmanuel-macron-343498" hreflang="en">United Nations Security Council out of 'useful solutions', says Emmanuel Macron</a>

Bozkir said reform of the Security Council was "an unavoidable imperative -- both challenging and essential."

Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Security Council has held few meetings devoted to the virus.

It took more than three months to overcome the friction between the United States and China to pass a resolution on July 1 calling for more international cooperation and to support a call by the secretary-general for a ceasefire in war-torn countries to help fight the disease.

During the debate on reform, the 193 UN members discussed the right to veto, the privilege of the five permanent members of the Security Council (United States, China, Russia, France and the United Kingdom), enlarging the forum and its regional balance.

Modest expansion of council?

Russia, which has used its veto 15 times since 2011 on the Syrian dossier alone, and the US do not wish to see that power reduced.

"The United States remains open, in principle, to a modest expansion of the Security Council," said American diplomat Ngoyi Ngoyi. But "this must be pursued in a way that will not diminish the Security Council's effectiveness or its efficiency, and will not alter or expand the veto."

Deputy Russian ambassador Anna Evstigneeva argued that "ideas leading to the erosion of the prerogatives of the permanent members of the Security Council, including the right to veto, are unacceptable."

Using the veto, or even the threat of using it, "have repeatedly prevented the United Nations from becoming associated with dubious companies," she added.

Later, Chinese ambassador Zhang Jun criticized an "over-representation of developed countries" and called for a larger presence of small and medium nations, particularly African ones.

The Security Council, which can decide on international sanctions and the use of force, has 15 members. In addition to the five permanent nations, it has 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms.

Germany is a candidate for another permanent seat on the Council, along with Brazil, Japan, and India. Africa is seeking two spots but has yet to identify potential future beneficiaries.

UN General Assembly president Volkan Bozkir on Tuesday criticised the Security Council, saying it was failing to respond to the world's biggest challenges due to "competing interests.

UN General Assembly president Volkan Bozkir on Tuesday criticised the Security Council, saying it was failing to respond to the world's biggest challenges due to "competing interests." There has been growing criticism of the body, which has not been reformed in decades. "The council has, on many occasions, failed to carry out its responsibility to maintain international peace and security," Bozkir, a Turkish diplomat, said at a debate on reforming the body. "Competing interests among its members and frequent use of the veto have limited the Security Council's effectiveness. Even in some of the most urgent humanitarian crises, the council could not provide a timely and adequate response." Earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday called for an overhaul of international cooperation mechanisms adding that the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is out of ''useful solutions''. Also read: United Nations Security Council out of 'useful solutions', says Emmanuel Macron Bozkir said reform of the Security Council was "an unavoidable imperative -- both challenging and essential." Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Security Council has held few meetings devoted to the virus. It took more than three months to overcome the friction between the United States and China to pass a resolution on July 1 calling for more international cooperation and to support a call by the secretary-general for a ceasefire in war-torn countries to help fight the disease. During the debate on reform, the 193 UN members discussed the right to veto, the privilege of the five permanent members of the Security Council (United States, China, Russia, France and the United Kingdom), enlarging the forum and its regional balance. Modest expansion of council? Russia, which has used its veto 15 times since 2011 on the Syrian dossier alone, and the US do not wish to see that power reduced. "The United States remains open, in principle, to a modest expansion of the Security Council," said American diplomat Ngoyi Ngoyi. But "this must be pursued in a way that will not diminish the Security Council's effectiveness or its efficiency, and will not alter or expand the veto." Deputy Russian ambassador Anna Evstigneeva argued that "ideas leading to the erosion of the prerogatives of the permanent members of the Security Council, including the right to veto, are unacceptable." Using the veto, or even the threat of using it, "have repeatedly prevented the United Nations from becoming associated with dubious companies," she added. Later, Chinese ambassador Zhang Jun criticized an "over-representation of developed countries" and called for a larger presence of small and medium nations, particularly African ones. The Security Council, which can decide on international sanctions and the use of force, has 15 members. In addition to the five permanent nations, it has 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms. Germany is a candidate for another permanent seat on the Council, along with Brazil, Japan, and India. Africa is seeking two spots but has yet to identify potential future beneficiaries.

Now, UN General Assembly president Volkan Bozkir assails Security Council

Calling for "urgency of reform" at the United Nations Security Council "to better reflect contemporary realities", G4 countries--India, Japan, Germany &amp; Brazil in a strongly worded joint statement have said the top UN body risks becoming "obsolete". G4 countries are a group of countries who have been calling for reforms at the UNSC.

The statement said, "As part of reforming the Security Council an expansion of the Security Council in both categories will be indispensable to make this body" more "representative, legitimate and effective.... to deal with the complex challenges the world faces today on questions of international peace and security".&nbsp;

Explaining, "Only if we manage to reform the Security Council will we stop it from becoming obsolete...which will allow it to preserve its credibility and create the political backing needed for the peaceful resolution of today’s international crises".

The G4 statement "expressed disappointment" and without taking China's name called out "attempts to derail this process".

So far over the decade-old Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) on Security Council reform has seen no movement forward. The statement said, "The recent session demonstrated yet again that the IGN lacks the necessary openness and transparency and is constrained by flawed working methods."

G4 countries have said that the IGN process should follow working methods laid out in United Nations Charter, UN General Assembly rules and time-bound text-based negotiations should happen. China has been dragging its feet on the issue and recently said starting text-based negotiation in a haste will not conducive to building a consensus.

The grouping also batted for Africa at the high table and the joint statement mentioned support for Common African Position enshrined in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration. Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte declaration call for at least 2 permanent and 5 to 2 non-permanent UNSC seats to be given to African countries at UNSC.

The statement said, “Africa needs to be represented in both the permanent and non-permanent categories of membership of a reformed and expanded Security Council to correct the historical injustice against this continent" with regard to its under-representation in the Security Council.&nbsp;

The G4 statement comes days after IBSA grouping-- India, Brazil, South Africa issued a similar statement on the reforms.

Calling for "urgency of reform" at the United Nations Security Council "to better reflect contemporary realities", G4 countries--India, Japan, Germany & Brazil in a strongly worded joint statement have said the top UN body risks becoming "obsolete".

Calling for "urgency of reform" at the United Nations Security Council "to better reflect contemporary realities", G4 countries--India, Japan, Germany & Brazil in a strongly worded joint statement have said the top UN body risks becoming "obsolete". G4 countries are a group of countries who have been calling for reforms at the UNSC. The statement said, "As part of reforming the Security Council an expansion of the Security Council in both categories will be indispensable to make this body" more "representative, legitimate and effective.... to deal with the complex challenges the world faces today on questions of international peace and security". Explaining, "Only if we manage to reform the Security Council will we stop it from becoming obsolete...which will allow it to preserve its credibility and create the political backing needed for the peaceful resolution of today’s international crises". The G4 statement "expressed disappointment" and without taking China's name called out "attempts to derail this process". So far over the decade-old Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) on Security Council reform has seen no movement forward. The statement said, "The recent session demonstrated yet again that the IGN lacks the necessary openness and transparency and is constrained by flawed working methods." G4 countries have said that the IGN process should follow working methods laid out in United Nations Charter, UN General Assembly rules and time-bound text-based negotiations should happen. China has been dragging its feet on the issue and recently said starting text-based negotiation in a haste will not conducive to building a consensus. The grouping also batted for Africa at the high table and the joint statement mentioned support for Common African Position enshrined in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration. Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte declaration call for at least 2 permanent and 5 to 2 non-permanent UNSC seats to be given to African countries at UNSC. The statement said, “Africa needs to be represented in both the permanent and non-permanent categories of membership of a reformed and expanded Security Council to correct the historical injustice against this continent" with regard to its under-representation in the Security Council. The G4 statement comes days after IBSA grouping-- India, Brazil, South Africa issued a similar statement on the reforms.

UN Security Council will become obsolete, if not reformed: G4 countries

The United States has suffered another&nbsp;setback over its bid to reimpose international sanctions on Iran with 13 countries on the 15-member UN Security Council opposing US push for sanction against&nbsp;

The majority argued that Washington's move is void given it is using a process agreed under a nuclear deal that it quit two years ago.

In the 24 hours since US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he triggered a 30-day countdown to a return of UN sanctions on Iran, including an arms embargo, long-time allies Britain, France, Germany and Belgium as well as China, Russia, Vietnam, Niger, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, South Africa, Indonesia, Estonia and Tunisia have already written letters in opposition, seen by Reuters.

The United States has accused Iran of breaching a 2015 deal with world powers that aimed to stop Tehran developing nuclear weapons in return for sanctions relief. But President Donald Trump described it as the "worst deal ever" and quit in 2018.

Diplomats said Russia, China and many other countries are unlikely to reimpose the sanctions on Iran. Pompeo again warned Russia and China against that on Friday, threatening US action if they refuse to reimpose the UN measures on Iran.

The United States acted on Thursday after the Security Council resoundingly rejected its bid last week to extend an arms embargo on Iran beyond its expiration in October. Only the Dominican Republic joined Washington in voting yes.

Dominican Republic has not yet written to the council to state its position on the sanctions snapback push. 
Under the process Washington says it has triggered, it appears all UN sanctions should be reimposed at midnight GMT on September 19 - just days before Trump is due to address world leaders at the UN General Assembly, the annual meeting that will be largely virtual because of the coronavirus pandemic.

A 2015 Security Council resolution enshrining the nuclear deal states that if no council member has put forward a draft resolution to extend sanctions relief on Iran within 10 days of a non-compliance complaint, then the body's president shall do so within the remaining 20 days.

The United States would be able to veto this, giving it a cleaner argument that sanctions on Iran have to be reimposed.

However, the 2015 resolution also says the council would "take into account the views of the states involved." Given the strong opposition, some diplomats say the council president - Indonesia for August and Niger for September - would not have to put up a draft text.

Pompeo and outgoing US Iran envoy Brian Hook signalled that Washington expects Indonesia or Niger to put a text to a vote. Another US option is to put forward the draft itself or ask the Dominican Republic to do so.

The United States argues that it can trigger the sanctions snapback process because the 2015 Security Council resolution still names it as a nuclear deal participant.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, meanwhile, distanced himself from the showdown in the Security Council. 
"Security Council members will need to interpret their own resolution," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters. "It's not the Secretary-General."

The United States has suffered another setback over its bid to reimpose international sanctions on Iran with 13 countries on the 15-member UN Security Council opposing US push for sanction against The majority argued that Washington's move is void given it is using a process agreed under a nuclear deal that it quit two years ago.

The United States has suffered another setback over its bid to reimpose international sanctions on Iran with 13 countries on the 15-member UN Security Council opposing US push for sanction against The majority argued that Washington's move is void given it is using a process agreed under a nuclear deal that it quit two years ago. In the 24 hours since US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he triggered a 30-day countdown to a return of UN sanctions on Iran, including an arms embargo, long-time allies Britain, France, Germany and Belgium as well as China, Russia, Vietnam, Niger, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, South Africa, Indonesia, Estonia and Tunisia have already written letters in opposition, seen by Reuters. The United States has accused Iran of breaching a 2015 deal with world powers that aimed to stop Tehran developing nuclear weapons in return for sanctions relief. But President Donald Trump described it as the "worst deal ever" and quit in 2018. Diplomats said Russia, China and many other countries are unlikely to reimpose the sanctions on Iran. Pompeo again warned Russia and China against that on Friday, threatening US action if they refuse to reimpose the UN measures on Iran. The United States acted on Thursday after the Security Council resoundingly rejected its bid last week to extend an arms embargo on Iran beyond its expiration in October. Only the Dominican Republic joined Washington in voting yes. Dominican Republic has not yet written to the council to state its position on the sanctions snapback push. Under the process Washington says it has triggered, it appears all UN sanctions should be reimposed at midnight GMT on September 19 - just days before Trump is due to address world leaders at the UN General Assembly, the annual meeting that will be largely virtual because of the coronavirus pandemic. A 2015 Security Council resolution enshrining the nuclear deal states that if no council member has put forward a draft resolution to extend sanctions relief on Iran within 10 days of a non-compliance complaint, then the body's president shall do so within the remaining 20 days. The United States would be able to veto this, giving it a cleaner argument that sanctions on Iran have to be reimposed. However, the 2015 resolution also says the council would "take into account the views of the states involved." Given the strong opposition, some diplomats say the council president - Indonesia for August and Niger for September - would not have to put up a draft text. Pompeo and outgoing US Iran envoy Brian Hook signalled that Washington expects Indonesia or Niger to put a text to a vote. Another US option is to put forward the draft itself or ask the Dominican Republic to do so. The United States argues that it can trigger the sanctions snapback process because the 2015 Security Council resolution still names it as a nuclear deal participant. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, meanwhile, distanced himself from the showdown in the Security Council. "Security Council members will need to interpret their own resolution," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters. "It's not the Secretary-General."

Majority of UN Security Council members oppose US push for Iran sanctions

US President Donald Trump on August 15 said to use the snapback technique, a day after the UN Security Council rejected an American resolution to extend an Iranian arms embargo. Iran Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif later said “American snapback is illegal and unacceptable and the Americans know they cannot use snapback."

Iran Nuclear Deal: US has been humiliated at the UN, says Iran

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said on Saturday&nbsp;hailed a UN Security Council vote rejecting a US bid to extend an arms embargo on the Islamic republic, saying its foe has "never been so isolated".

Rouhani said the United States had failed to kill off what he called the "half alive" 2015 deal with major powers that gave Iran relief from sanctions in exchange for curbs on its nuclear programme.

"The United States failed in this conspiracy with humiliation," Rouhani told a televised news conference.

"In my opinion, this day will go down in the history of our Iran and in the history of fighting global arrogance."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-defeats-us-demand-to-extend-arms-embargo-on-iran-320759" hreflang="en">UN defeats US demand to extend arms embargo on Iran</a>

Only two of the Council's 15 members voted in favour of the US resolution seeking to extend the embargo, highlighting the division between Washington and its European allies since President Donald Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear accord in May 2018.

Washington's European allies all abstained, and Iran mocked the Trump administration for only winning the support of one other country, the Dominican Republic.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uaes-israel-deal-met-with-arab-dismay-but-quiet-welcome-in-gulf-320752" hreflang="en">UAE's Israel deal met with Arab dismay but quiet welcome in Gulf</a>

"In the 75 years of United Nations history, America has never been so isolated," said foreign ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi.

"Despite all the trips, pressure and the hawking, the United States could only mobilise a small country (to vote) with them," he tweeted.

The result increases the likelihood that the US will try to unilaterally force a return of UN sanctions, which experts say threatens to plunge the Council into one of its worst-ever diplomatic crises.&nbsp;

"The Security Council's failure to act decisively in defence of international peace and security is inexcusable," said US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

The embargo on conventional arms is due to expire on October 18 under the terms of&nbsp;a resolution that blessed the Iran nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

Since Trump pulled out of the JCPOA and slapped unilateral sanctions on Iran under a campaign of "maximum pressure", Tehran has since taken small but escalating steps away from compliance with the nuclear accord as it presses for sanctions relief.

European allies of the United States, who, along with Russia and China, signed the deal with Iran, have voiced support for extending the 13-year-long conventional arms embargo, saying an expiry threatens stability in the Middle East.

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said on Saturday hailed a UN Security Council vote rejecting a US bid to extend an arms embargo on the Islamic republic, saying its foe has "never been so isolated".

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said on Saturday hailed a UN Security Council vote rejecting a US bid to extend an arms embargo on the Islamic republic, saying its foe has "never been so isolated". Rouhani said the United States had failed to kill off what he called the "half alive" 2015 deal with major powers that gave Iran relief from sanctions in exchange for curbs on its nuclear programme. "The United States failed in this conspiracy with humiliation," Rouhani told a televised news conference. "In my opinion, this day will go down in the history of our Iran and in the history of fighting global arrogance." Also read: UN defeats US demand to extend arms embargo on Iran Only two of the Council's 15 members voted in favour of the US resolution seeking to extend the embargo, highlighting the division between Washington and its European allies since President Donald Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear accord in May 2018. Washington's European allies all abstained, and Iran mocked the Trump administration for only winning the support of one other country, the Dominican Republic. Also read: UAE's Israel deal met with Arab dismay but quiet welcome in Gulf "In the 75 years of United Nations history, America has never been so isolated," said foreign ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi. "Despite all the trips, pressure and the hawking, the United States could only mobilise a small country (to vote) with them," he tweeted. The result increases the likelihood that the US will try to unilaterally force a return of UN sanctions, which experts say threatens to plunge the Council into one of its worst-ever diplomatic crises. "The Security Council's failure to act decisively in defence of international peace and security is inexcusable," said US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. The embargo on conventional arms is due to expire on October 18 under the terms of a resolution that blessed the Iran nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Since Trump pulled out of the JCPOA and slapped unilateral sanctions on Iran under a campaign of "maximum pressure", Tehran has since taken small but escalating steps away from compliance with the nuclear accord as it presses for sanctions relief. European allies of the United States, who, along with Russia and China, signed the deal with Iran, have voiced support for extending the 13-year-long conventional arms embargo, saying an expiry threatens stability in the Middle East.

Iran hails UN Security Council vote rejecting a US bid to extend arms embargo

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi wrote a letter to the top UN officials, highlighting the Kashmir issue, the Foreign Office said on Saturday.

The minister addressed another "comprehensive communication" to the UN Security Council President and the UN Secretary General, apprising them of the latest situation in Kashmir through a letter of 21 May, the FO said.

In his letter, Qureshi has drawn attention towards India's new domicile rules in Jammu and Kashmir, alleging that it was in clear violation of the UN resolutions, it said.

He also conveyed Pakistan's concern over the alleged ceasefire violations at the Line of Control and the Working Boundary.

Qureshi rejected the "baseless Indian allegations? of so-called "launch pads" of "infiltrators". He underlined that the "real Indian motive" behind blaming Pakistan is to create a pretext for a "false flag" operation, about which Pakistan has been forewarning the international community.

He earlier sent a letter to the President of the United Nations Security Council and the United Nations Secretary General on March 9, 2020.

Pakistan has been unsuccessfully trying to drum up international support against India for withdrawing Jammu and Kashmir's special status on August 5 and bifurcating it into two Union territories.

India has categorically told the international community that the scrapping of the Article 370 was its internal matter. It also advised Pakistan to accept the reality and stop all anti-India propaganda.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi wrote a letter to the top UN officials, highlighting the Kashmir issue, the Foreign Office said on Saturday. The minister addressed another "comprehensive communication" to the UN Security Council President and the UN Secretary General, apprising them of the latest situation in Kashmir through a letter of 21 May, the FO said.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi wrote a letter to the top UN officials, highlighting the Kashmir issue, the Foreign Office said on Saturday. The minister addressed another "comprehensive communication" to the UN Security Council President and the UN Secretary General, apprising them of the latest situation in Kashmir through a letter of 21 May, the FO said. In his letter, Qureshi has drawn attention towards India's new domicile rules in Jammu and Kashmir, alleging that it was in clear violation of the UN resolutions, it said. He also conveyed Pakistan's concern over the alleged ceasefire violations at the Line of Control and the Working Boundary. Qureshi rejected the "baseless Indian allegations? of so-called "launch pads" of "infiltrators". He underlined that the "real Indian motive" behind blaming Pakistan is to create a pretext for a "false flag" operation, about which Pakistan has been forewarning the international community. He earlier sent a letter to the President of the United Nations Security Council and the United Nations Secretary General on March 9, 2020. Pakistan has been unsuccessfully trying to drum up international support against India for withdrawing Jammu and Kashmir's special status on August 5 and bifurcating it into two Union territories. India has categorically told the international community that the scrapping of the Article 370 was its internal matter. It also advised Pakistan to accept the reality and stop all anti-India propaganda.

Qureshi writes to UN officials on situation in Kashmir: FO

Speaking exclusively to WION the new president of the United Nations Security Council Estonia has called for more transparency and information on COVID crisis even as the country has sought cooperation among members of the core UN body.

WION Exclusive: New UNSC president calls for transparency and information on Covid

From futile statements to veiled attacks - The UN Security Council session on the Coronavirus crisis ended inconclusively and without a resolution. WION's Palki Sharma gets you a report on the wasted opportunity.

Gravitas: UNSC fails to pin responsibility on China | Coronavirus

With China no longer calling the shots at UNSC, the body has finally woken up to the Coronavirus reality. UN Security Council is set to discuss the pandemic later this week. Will it pass a resolution?

Wuhan Coronavirus to be raised at UN Security Council | Gravitas

In March, China blocked an attempt to discuss the Coronavirus outbreak at the Security Council. China held the Presidency of the council last month. Now, Dominican Republic has assumed the Presidency. WION's Palki Sharma tells you how the UNSC could discuss the outbreak now.

Gravitas: Trouble for China? UN Security Council could take up coronavirus outbreak

The UN Security Council endorsed a 55-point road map for ending the war in Libya on February 12 and condemned the recent increase in violence in the oil-rich North African country. The vote on the British-drafted resolution was 14-0, with Russia abstaining even though Russian President Vladimir Putin was one of the 12 leaders who agreed to the plan at a conference in Berlin on January 19. Watch report

UN votes to endorse road map to end war in Libya

At least 32 people were killed Wednesday when suspected nomadic Misseriya herders from Sudan attacked a village in the disputed oil-rich region of Abyei along the border of South Sudan, a local official said.

Abyei has been contested since South Sudan gained independence in 2011, while there have long been tensions between the South Sudanese Ngok Dinka community and the Misseriya herders who traverse the area looking for grazing.

Kuol Alor Kuol, the chief administrator of the Abyei area, told AFP that heavily armed Misseriya and allied militia attacked the village of Kolom early on Wednesday.

"Thirty-two people were killed among them children and women, and secondly about 24 people are wounded ... and about 15 people including children were abducted and 20 houses burned," Kuol said.

He said the wounded had been evacuated to a hospital in the town of Agok which is run by Doctors Without Borders (MSF).&nbsp;

In 2011, the UN Security Council deployed a peacekeeping force to the area after deadly clashes displaced some 100,000 people.

The United Nations Interim Security Force in Abyei (UNISFA) is made up entirely of Ethiopian troops, with some 4,500 soldiers on the ground.

UNISFA could not be immediately reached for comment on the attack.

The UN Security Council in 2018 warned that the situation in Abyei and along the Sudan-South Sudan border "continues to constitute a serious threat to international peace," and called on the two countries to show concrete progress on border demarcation and monitoring.

At least 32 people were killed Wednesday when suspected nomadic Misseriya herders from Sudan attacked a village in the disputed oil-rich region of Abyei along the border of South Sudan, a local official said.

At least 32 people were killed Wednesday when suspected nomadic Misseriya herders from Sudan attacked a village in the disputed oil-rich region of Abyei along the border of South Sudan, a local official said. Abyei has been contested since South Sudan gained independence in 2011, while there have long been tensions between the South Sudanese Ngok Dinka community and the Misseriya herders who traverse the area looking for grazing. Kuol Alor Kuol, the chief administrator of the Abyei area, told AFP that heavily armed Misseriya and allied militia attacked the village of Kolom early on Wednesday. "Thirty-two people were killed among them children and women, and secondly about 24 people are wounded ... and about 15 people including children were abducted and 20 houses burned," Kuol said. He said the wounded had been evacuated to a hospital in the town of Agok which is run by Doctors Without Borders (MSF). In 2011, the UN Security Council deployed a peacekeeping force to the area after deadly clashes displaced some 100,000 people. The United Nations Interim Security Force in Abyei (UNISFA) is made up entirely of Ethiopian troops, with some 4,500 soldiers on the ground. UNISFA could not be immediately reached for comment on the attack. The UN Security Council in 2018 warned that the situation in Abyei and along the Sudan-South Sudan border "continues to constitute a serious threat to international peace," and called on the two countries to show concrete progress on border demarcation and monitoring.

32 killed in attack in disputed South Sudan border region: Official

Pakistan and its all-weather ally — China has raised the Kashmir issue yet again. For a third time — Beijing tried to spark dialogue at the United Nations security council — in an attempt to embarrass India on the international stage.

This time — a fresh letter was drafted on the behalf of Islamabad, Vietnam and Beijing.United Nations has maintained its stance that the issue should be solved bilaterally by India and Pakistan.

The efforts were meant to revive the failed December 2019 bid to raise Kashmir at the UNSC. The council did not take up a letter by Pakistan last month — after India pushed back strongly with the help of its supporters in the council — mainly France and the US.

Meanwhile — deputy representative of Russia to the UN has also reacted to China's move.

He said and I quote — UNSC discussed Kashmir in closed consultations. Russia firmly stands for the normalisation of relations between India and Pakistan.&nbsp;

He also said that Russia is hopeful that differences will be settled through bilateral efforts based on the 1972 Simla agreement and the 1999 Lahore declaration.

India slammed the move — asking Islamabad to focus on issues like sheltering terrorists.

The Indian envoy to the UN Syed Akbaruddin said that — China got a stinging response when it raised Kashmir at a closed-door informal consultation.

Reports suggest that the Chinese-Pakistani plan was meant to set the stage for Pakistan's Shah Mehmood Qureshi's visit to the US.

Foreign minister Qureshi has arrived the US for a three-day visit.

Meanwhile — in Kashmir — the valley has brought some slow but gradual signs of normalcy.

Like the release of political detainees, visit of European parliament MPs, the successful conduct of football matches, and the restoration of the internet in Kargil.

While New Delhi is taking notes — that China has raised the issue of Kashmir twice after the Mamallapuram summit between President Xi Jinping and prime minister Narendra Modi.

Beijing has also not yielded on any of its core interests apart from siding with Islamabad on major diplomatic fronts.

This when India has reiterated its stance — that Kashmir remains an internal matter.

Pakistan and its all-weather ally — China has raised the Kashmir issue yet again. For a third time — Beijing tried to spark dialogue at the United Nations security council — in an attempt to embarrass India on the international stage.

Pakistan and its all-weather ally — China has raised the Kashmir issue yet again. For a third time — Beijing tried to spark dialogue at the United Nations security council — in an attempt to embarrass India on the international stage. This time — a fresh letter was drafted on the behalf of Islamabad, Vietnam and Beijing.United Nations has maintained its stance that the issue should be solved bilaterally by India and Pakistan. The efforts were meant to revive the failed December 2019 bid to raise Kashmir at the UNSC. The council did not take up a letter by Pakistan last month — after India pushed back strongly with the help of its supporters in the council — mainly France and the US. Meanwhile — deputy representative of Russia to the UN has also reacted to China's move. He said and I quote — UNSC discussed Kashmir in closed consultations. Russia firmly stands for the normalisation of relations between India and Pakistan. He also said that Russia is hopeful that differences will be settled through bilateral efforts based on the 1972 Simla agreement and the 1999 Lahore declaration. India slammed the move — asking Islamabad to focus on issues like sheltering terrorists. The Indian envoy to the UN Syed Akbaruddin said that — China got a stinging response when it raised Kashmir at a closed-door informal consultation. Reports suggest that the Chinese-Pakistani plan was meant to set the stage for Pakistan's Shah Mehmood Qureshi's visit to the US. Foreign minister Qureshi has arrived the US for a three-day visit. Meanwhile — in Kashmir — the valley has brought some slow but gradual signs of normalcy. Like the release of political detainees, visit of European parliament MPs, the successful conduct of football matches, and the restoration of the internet in Kargil. While New Delhi is taking notes — that China has raised the issue of Kashmir twice after the Mamallapuram summit between President Xi Jinping and prime minister Narendra Modi. Beijing has also not yielded on any of its core interests apart from siding with Islamabad on major diplomatic fronts. This when India has reiterated its stance — that Kashmir remains an internal matter.

Pakistan efforts to raise Kashmir at UN Security Council crumbled once again

India's permanent representative to the United Nations, Syed Akbaruddin has ripped into Pakistan at the UN Security Council. Akbaruddin asked Pakistan to stop peddling falsehoods and said that Islamabad epitomised 'dark arts'. WION's Palki Sharma explains. #Gravitas #UN #Pakistan #IndianEnvoy #UN #SyedAkbaruddin

Gravitas: Indian Envoy at the UN, Pakistan must stop peddling lies

At least 30 people were killed and 33 others wounded in an attack on a military academy in the Libyan capital late on Saturday, the health ministry of the Tripoli-based government said in a statement on Sunday.

Tripoli, controlled by the internationally recognised <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/libya-at-least-28-killed-in-air-strike-on-military-school-272169">Government of National Accord</a> (GNA), is facing an offensive by military commander Khalifa Haftar's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-to-send-troops-to-libya-at-tripolis-request-270402">Libyan National Army</a> (LNA) that began in April.

There has been an increase in airstrikes and shelling around Tripoli in recent weeks, with fears that fighting could escalate further after Turkey’s parliament voted to allow a troop deployment in support of the GNA.

Forces allied with the GNA described Saturday’s attack on the military camp at Al-Hadhba as "an aerial bombing" launched by their eastern rivals. An LNA spokesman denied involvement.

GNA Health Minister Hamid bin Omar told media that earlier in a phone call that the number of dead and wounded was still rising. Tripoli ambulance service spokesman <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iraq-protesters-lock-down-oil-field-call-strike-270855">Osama Ali</a> said some body parts could not be immediately counted by forensic experts.

Earlier, the ambulance service appealed for a temporary ceasefire to allow its crews to retrieve the bodies of five civilians killed on As Sidra Road in southern Tripoli and to evacuate families.

Emergency teams withdrew after coming under fire while trying to access the area on Saturday, it said.

The GNA Foreign Ministry called for referring Haftar and his aides to the International Criminal Court on charges of committing "crimes against humanity", adding that it will call for an emergency UN Security Council meeting to discuss the alleged crimes.

Qatar, which supports GNA, said on Saturday that the attack "may amount to a war crime and crimes against humanity".

Ankara, which last week passed a bill approving a troop deployment in Libya to support Tripoli, also condemned the attack and said the international community needs to take steps to achieve a ceasefire.

"It is crucial for the international community to urgently take necessary steps to halt external support for the pro-Haftar army and its attacks and establish a ceasefire in Libya," the Turkish foreign ministry said in a statement.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-to-send-troops-to-libya-at-tripolis-request-270402">United Nations Support Mission in Libya</a> (UNSMIL) condemned the attack saying that "rising escalation&nbsp;further complicates the situation in Libya and threatens the chances of returning to the political process".

In response to the attack, GNA allied forces have targeted the LNA airbase of Al-Wattia in an airstrike, around 159 km southwest of Tripoli, a spokesman said in a statement.

Two sources in Haftar forces said four fighters were killed in a drone strike early on Sunday.

An increase in airstrikes and shelling in and around <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-to-back-libya-deployment-bill-but-troops-unlikely-for-now-271717">Tripoli</a> has caused the deaths of at least 11 civilians since early December and shut down health facilities and schools, the U.N. mission in Libya said on Friday.

Rockets and shelling also shut down Tripoli’s only functioning airport on Friday.

On Friday, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres renewed his call for an immediate ceasefire in Libya.

He warned that the delivery of foreign support to warring parties would "only deepen the ongoing conflict and further complicate efforts to reach a peaceful and comprehensive political solution".

The parliament which moved to the east in 2014 voted to provide Haftar with emergency funding on Saturday.

The pro-Haftar chamber also held a series of symbolic votes against the GNA and Turkey, which struck two pacts on maritime boundaries and military cooperation in November.

At least 30 people were killed and 33 others wounded in an attack on a military academy in the Libyan capital late on Saturday, the health ministry of the Tripoli-based government said in a statement on Sunday.

At least 30 people were killed and 33 others wounded in an attack on a military academy in the Libyan capital late on Saturday, the health ministry of the Tripoli-based government said in a statement on Sunday. Tripoli, controlled by the internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA), is facing an offensive by military commander Khalifa Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA) that began in April. There has been an increase in airstrikes and shelling around Tripoli in recent weeks, with fears that fighting could escalate further after Turkey’s parliament voted to allow a troop deployment in support of the GNA. Forces allied with the GNA described Saturday’s attack on the military camp at Al-Hadhba as "an aerial bombing" launched by their eastern rivals. An LNA spokesman denied involvement. GNA Health Minister Hamid bin Omar told media that earlier in a phone call that the number of dead and wounded was still rising. Tripoli ambulance service spokesman Osama Ali said some body parts could not be immediately counted by forensic experts. Earlier, the ambulance service appealed for a temporary ceasefire to allow its crews to retrieve the bodies of five civilians killed on As Sidra Road in southern Tripoli and to evacuate families. Emergency teams withdrew after coming under fire while trying to access the area on Saturday, it said. The GNA Foreign Ministry called for referring Haftar and his aides to the International Criminal Court on charges of committing "crimes against humanity", adding that it will call for an emergency UN Security Council meeting to discuss the alleged crimes. Qatar, which supports GNA, said on Saturday that the attack "may amount to a war crime and crimes against humanity". Ankara, which last week passed a bill approving a troop deployment in Libya to support Tripoli, also condemned the attack and said the international community needs to take steps to achieve a ceasefire. "It is crucial for the international community to urgently take necessary steps to halt external support for the pro-Haftar army and its attacks and establish a ceasefire in Libya," the Turkish foreign ministry said in a statement. The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) condemned the attack saying that "rising escalation further complicates the situation in Libya and threatens the chances of returning to the political process". In response to the attack, GNA allied forces have targeted the LNA airbase of Al-Wattia in an airstrike, around 159 km southwest of Tripoli, a spokesman said in a statement. Two sources in Haftar forces said four fighters were killed in a drone strike early on Sunday. An increase in airstrikes and shelling in and around Tripoli has caused the deaths of at least 11 civilians since early December and shut down health facilities and schools, the U.N. mission in Libya said on Friday. Rockets and shelling also shut down Tripoli’s only functioning airport on Friday. On Friday, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres renewed his call for an immediate ceasefire in Libya. He warned that the delivery of foreign support to warring parties would "only deepen the ongoing conflict and further complicate efforts to reach a peaceful and comprehensive political solution". The parliament which moved to the east in 2014 voted to provide Haftar with emergency funding on Saturday. The pro-Haftar chamber also held a series of symbolic votes against the GNA and Turkey, which struck two pacts on maritime boundaries and military cooperation in November.

At least 30 people killed in Libya military academy attack in Tripoli

The United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday condemned "the long-standing and ongoing systematic, widespread and gross violations of human rights in and by" North Korea in an annual resolution that Pyongyang's UN&nbsp;envoy rejected.

The resolution, sponsored by dozens of countries including the United States, was adopted by the 193-member General Assembly without a vote. Such resolutions are non-binding but can carry political weight.

North Korea's UN&nbsp;Ambassador <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-security-council-to-meet-over-north-korea-on-wednesday-at-us-request-267389">Kim Song</a> told the General Assembly that the resolution has "nothing to do with the genuine promotion and protection of human rights, as it is an impure product of political plots by hostile forces that seek to tarnish the dignity and image of the DPRK and overthrow our social system."

North Korea's official name is the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

A landmark 2014 UN&nbsp;report on North Korean human rights concluded that North Korean security chiefs - and possibly leader Kim Jong Un himself - should face justice for overseeing a state-controlled system of Nazi-style atrocities.

Then in 2016, the United States <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-calls-united-states-biden-a-rabid-dog-nearing-death-262205">angered North Korea</a> by blacklisting Kim for human rights abuses.

Earlier this month at least eight UN&nbsp;Security Council members pushed for a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-envoy-biegun-to-north-korea-were-here-you-know-how-to-reach-us-268526">meeting</a> on human rights abuses in North Korea. Pyongyang responded that it would consider such a move a "serious provocation" to which it would "respond strongly."

Diplomats said a meeting would have prompted China to call a vote to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-can-censor-ozil-but-cannot-hide-human-rights-violations-against-uighurs-pompeo-268791">stop it</a>, even though it would not have enough support.

But the United States, which is president of the Security Council for December, decided to convene a meeting that instead focused on concerns that North Korea could resume nuclear or long-range missile testing,&nbsp;suspended since 2017, because <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/denuclearisation-off-negotiating-table-with-us-north-koreas-un-envoy-266892">denuclearization talks </a>between Pyongyang and Washington have stalled.

On Monday, China and Russia proposed the 15-member Council lift a ban on North Korea exporting statues, seafood and textiles, and ease restrictions on infrastructure projects and North Koreans working overseas, according to a draft resolution seen by Reuters.

A US&nbsp;State Department official said on Monday that now was not the time to consider lifting UN&nbsp;sanctions on North Korea.

The United States, Britain and France have insisted that no UN&nbsp;sanctions should be lifted until North Korea takes concrete steps to give up its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Pyongyang has been subject to UN&nbsp;sanctions because of those programs since 2006.

The United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday condemned "the long-standing and ongoing systematic, widespread and gross violations of human rights in and by" North Korea in an annual resolution that Pyongyang's UN envoy rejected.

The United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday condemned "the long-standing and ongoing systematic, widespread and gross violations of human rights in and by" North Korea in an annual resolution that Pyongyang's UN envoy rejected. The resolution, sponsored by dozens of countries including the United States, was adopted by the 193-member General Assembly without a vote. Such resolutions are non-binding but can carry political weight. North Korea's UN Ambassador Kim Song told the General Assembly that the resolution has "nothing to do with the genuine promotion and protection of human rights, as it is an impure product of political plots by hostile forces that seek to tarnish the dignity and image of the DPRK and overthrow our social system." North Korea's official name is the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). A landmark 2014 UN report on North Korean human rights concluded that North Korean security chiefs - and possibly leader Kim Jong Un himself - should face justice for overseeing a state-controlled system of Nazi-style atrocities. Then in 2016, the United States angered North Korea by blacklisting Kim for human rights abuses. Earlier this month at least eight UN Security Council members pushed for a meeting on human rights abuses in North Korea. Pyongyang responded that it would consider such a move a "serious provocation" to which it would "respond strongly." Diplomats said a meeting would have prompted China to call a vote to stop it, even though it would not have enough support. But the United States, which is president of the Security Council for December, decided to convene a meeting that instead focused on concerns that North Korea could resume nuclear or long-range missile testing, suspended since 2017, because denuclearization talks between Pyongyang and Washington have stalled. On Monday, China and Russia proposed the 15-member Council lift a ban on North Korea exporting statues, seafood and textiles, and ease restrictions on infrastructure projects and North Koreans working overseas, according to a draft resolution seen by Reuters. A US State Department official said on Monday that now was not the time to consider lifting UN sanctions on North Korea. The United States, Britain and France have insisted that no UN sanctions should be lifted until North Korea takes concrete steps to give up its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Pyongyang has been subject to UN sanctions because of those programs since 2006.

UN condemns North Korea rights abuses, Pyongyang rejects resolution

North Korea on Thursday slammed a statement by European UN Security Council members urging strict enforcement of sanctions against Pyongyang for its <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/north-korea-launches-2-missiles-in-the-sea-one-enters-japanese-waters-253251">latest missile test,</a> calling the move a "serious provocation".

Pyongyang fired a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/north-korea-says-successfully-tested-new-submarine-launched-ballistic-missile-kcna-253359">sea-launched missile</a> on October 2 in the latest -- and most provocative -- of a series of weapons tests, just days before long-stalled US-North Korean nuclear talks were to resume in Sweden.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-breaks-off-nuclear-talks-with-united-states-in-sweden-254080">The North then walked away from the Stockholm talks</a> on Saturday saying it was disappointed at the lack of "new and creative" solutions offered by Washington, although the US said it was willing to meet again in two weeks.

In their statement at the UN Tuesday, the Europeans -- France, Belgium, Germany, Poland, Britain and Estonia -- condemned Pyongyang's tests and urged it to engage in "good faith in meaningful negotiations with the United States."

The North on Thursday accused the Europeans of double standards.

"The UNSC which champions fairness and equity picks fault with the just measure belonging to our right to self-defence, while keeping mum about the test-fire of Minuteman 3 intercontinental ballistic missile recently conducted by the US. This is a serious provocation against the DPRK," a foreign ministry spokesperson said.

DPRK are the initials for North Korea's official name.

Washington has spent decades and billions of dollars developing technologies to try to stop an incoming ballistic missile, and said last week that it had tested an unarmed Minuteman III ICBM.

"But there is a limit to the patience of the DPRK and there is no guarantee that all our patience would continue indefinitely," the North Korean spokesperson added in a statement carried by the official Korean Central News Agency.

Pyongyang declared a moratorium on intercontinental ballistic missile launches and nuclear tests at the end of 2017, saying it had completed the development of the deterrent, which it says it needs to defend against a possible US invasion.

The nuclear-armed North is under multiple sets of sanctions imposed by the UN, US, EU and others in an attempt to dissuade it from pursuing its weapons programmes.

Under leader Kim Jong Un it has carried out more than 100 missile launches, including ICBMs capable of reaching the entire United States, and in 2017 detonated its sixth nuclear blast.

Last week, it tested a device it said was a submarine-launched ballistic missile that marked a "new phase" in its capabilities, although the US said it seemed to have been fired from a "sea-based platform".

In their statement, the European Security Council members said the North's missile tests "undermine regional security and stability and they are in clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions.

"International sanctions must remain in place and be fully and strictly enforced," they added. 
&nbsp;

North Korea on Thursday slammed a statement by European UN Security Council members urging strict enforcement of sanctions against Pyongyang for its latest missile test, calling the move a "serious provocation".

North Korea on Thursday slammed a statement by European UN Security Council members urging strict enforcement of sanctions against Pyongyang for its latest missile test, calling the move a "serious provocation". Pyongyang fired a sea-launched missile on October 2 in the latest -- and most provocative -- of a series of weapons tests, just days before long-stalled US-North Korean nuclear talks were to resume in Sweden. The North then walked away from the Stockholm talks on Saturday saying it was disappointed at the lack of "new and creative" solutions offered by Washington, although the US said it was willing to meet again in two weeks. In their statement at the UN Tuesday, the Europeans -- France, Belgium, Germany, Poland, Britain and Estonia -- condemned Pyongyang's tests and urged it to engage in "good faith in meaningful negotiations with the United States." The North on Thursday accused the Europeans of double standards. "The UNSC which champions fairness and equity picks fault with the just measure belonging to our right to self-defence, while keeping mum about the test-fire of Minuteman 3 intercontinental ballistic missile recently conducted by the US. This is a serious provocation against the DPRK," a foreign ministry spokesperson said. DPRK are the initials for North Korea's official name. Washington has spent decades and billions of dollars developing technologies to try to stop an incoming ballistic missile, and said last week that it had tested an unarmed Minuteman III ICBM. "But there is a limit to the patience of the DPRK and there is no guarantee that all our patience would continue indefinitely," the North Korean spokesperson added in a statement carried by the official Korean Central News Agency. Pyongyang declared a moratorium on intercontinental ballistic missile launches and nuclear tests at the end of 2017, saying it had completed the development of the deterrent, which it says it needs to defend against a possible US invasion. The nuclear-armed North is under multiple sets of sanctions imposed by the UN, US, EU and others in an attempt to dissuade it from pursuing its weapons programmes. Under leader Kim Jong Un it has carried out more than 100 missile launches, including ICBMs capable of reaching the entire United States, and in 2017 detonated its sixth nuclear blast. Last week, it tested a device it said was a submarine-launched ballistic missile that marked a "new phase" in its capabilities, although the US said it seemed to have been fired from a "sea-based platform". In their statement, the European Security Council members said the North's missile tests "undermine regional security and stability and they are in clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions. "International sanctions must remain in place and be fully and strictly enforced," they added.

North Korea slams Europeans over criticism of missile test

Seoul and Washington began annual joint military exercises on Monday, defying warnings from Pyongyang that the war games will jeopardise nuclear negotiations between the United States and North Korea.

Seoul and Washington began annual joint military exercises on Monday, defying warnings from Pyongyang that the war games will jeopardise nuclear negotiations between the United States and North Korea. The drills come after Pyongyang tested a series of short-range projectiles in recent days, calling one of them a "solemn warning" to Seoul against pursuing the mainly computer-simulated drills with Washington. South Korean defence minister Jeong Kyeong-doo told parliament that the joint exercise began Monday, adding that Seoul was "clearly maintaining its readiness posture against any military action by North Korea". Details about the training have not been disclosed, but a ministry official in Seoul said this year's exercise will include verifying South Korea's abilities to take operational control in wartime. Under the US-South Korea security treaty, an American general will take command of their combined forces in the event of armed conflict, but Seoul has long sought to reverse the position. Analysts say the military activities by both sides could delay talks on the North's weapons programmes - which have seen it subjected to multiple sets of UN Security Council sanctions - until later this year. After a year of mutual threats and mounting tensions, US President Donald Trump and the North's leader Kim Jong Un held a historic meeting in Singapore last year, when Kim signed a vague pledge to work towards "denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula". A second summit in Hanoi in February broke up amid disagreement on sanctions relief and what the North might be willing to give up in return. Trump and Kim agreed to resume nuclear talks during their impromptu June meeting in the Demilitarized Zone that divides the peninsula, but that working-level dialogue has yet to begin. The nuclear-armed North - which attacked its neighbour in 1950, triggering the Korean War - has always been infuriated by military exercises between the US and the South, decrying them as rehearsals for invasion. After the Singapore summit, Trump made a shock announcement halting joint drills, adopting Pyongyang's description of them as "provocative" at an extraordinary, freewheeling press conference. War games known as Ulchi Freedom Guardian (UFG) and scheduled for August last year were subsequently suspended. And the allies' biggest annual drills, Foal Eagle and Key Resolve, which took place every spring and involved tens of thousands of troops, were replaced with a shorter "Dong Maeng" or "Alliance" exercise in March. Changing stance The August drills were scaled down earlier this year, Yonhap news agency reported, and have not been named, with an official from Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) telling AFP that they "cannot comment any further" on their designation. South Korean media have dubbed the command post exercise "19-2 Dong Maeng", indicating the second Dong Maeng exercise of 2019. Pyongyang warned last week that further nuclear talks could be derailed if Seoul and Washington push ahead with the manoeuvres. And on Friday, North Korea carried out its third weapons test in the space of eight days, firing what it called a new "large calibre multiple launch guided rocket system". Seoul's presidential office said it was highly likely to be "a new type of short-range ballistic missile". Ahn Chan-il, a North Korean defector and researcher in Seoul, told AFP: "Drills might not have taken place today if there had been some concrete progress with the nuclear negotiations between Pyongyang and Washington, considering UFG was suspended last year." The North's recent launches also affected the allies' decision, he added. "This also signals Seoul's changing stance on Pyongyang." Trump has brushed off the North's tests, saying Kim will not want to "disappoint" him because he has "far too much to lose". "He will do the right thing because he is far too smart not to, and he does not want to disappoint his friend, President Trump!" he said. There are 28,500 US troops stationed in South Korea to protect it against its neighbour, many of them based south of Seoul at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek - Washington's biggest overseas military facility.

US, South Korea defy North's warnings, start joint drills

There is "great respect" between the United States and North Korea, President Donald Trump said Monday, predicting "lots of good things" despite recent missile launches by Pyongyang.

"I personally think that lots of good things will come with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-says-still-has-confidence-in-north-koreas-kim-jong-un-221636">North Korea</a>, I feel that. I may be right, I may be wrong, but I feel that" Trump said at the start of bilateral talks with Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo.

"We've come a long way," the US leader added.

"There's good respect built, maybe great respect built between certainly the United States and North Korea."

The comments come despite short-range missile launches by Pyongyang in May that Trump's own <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korean-missile-test-violated-un-resolution-john-bolton-221446">National Security Advisor John Bolton</a> said over the weekend were in violation of UN Security Council resolutions.

Trump appeared to dispute Bolton's assessment in a tweet on Sunday, in which he called the missiles "small weapons" that "disturbed some of my people, and others, but not me".

The US president is in Tokyo for a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-becomes-first-foreign-leader-to-meet-japans-new-emperor-221846">state visit that included a meeting with ship the newly enthroned Emperor Naruhito</a> on Monday morning, the first time the monarch has met a foreign leader since taking the throne.

Trump's bilateral talks with Abe are expected to focus on trade, North Korea and military issues, as well as other diplomatic crises, including the tensions between Washington and Tehran.

Abe has reportedly proposed serving as a mediator and is said to be weighing a state visit to Iran, and Trump said he remained open to talks.

"I do believe that Iran would like to talk, and if they'd like to talk, we'd like to talk also," he said.

"Nobody wants to see terrible things happen, especially me," he added.

Trump said US-Japan relations have "never been better," but the allies are locked in negotiations over trade, with the US leader repeating Monday that America suffers a "tremendous imbalance" with Japan on trade.

"We're working on that, and I'm sure that will work out over a period of time," Trump added, saying he expected the allies to be "announcing some things, probably in August, that will be very good for both countries".

Watch: North Korea demands immediate return of Cargo Ship seized by US

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/north-korea-demands-immediate-return-of-cargo-ship-seized-by-us-218720/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

"We'll get the balance of trade straightened out rapidly."

There is "great respect" between the United States and North Korea, President Donald Trump said Monday, predicting "lots of good things" despite recent missile launches by Pyongyang.

There is "great respect" between the United States and North Korea, President Donald Trump said Monday, predicting "lots of good things" despite recent missile launches by Pyongyang. "I personally think that lots of good things will come with North Korea, I feel that. I may be right, I may be wrong, but I feel that" Trump said at the start of bilateral talks with Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo. "We've come a long way," the US leader added. "There's good respect built, maybe great respect built between certainly the United States and North Korea." The comments come despite short-range missile launches by Pyongyang in May that Trump's own National Security Advisor John Bolton said over the weekend were in violation of UN Security Council resolutions. Trump appeared to dispute Bolton's assessment in a tweet on Sunday, in which he called the missiles "small weapons" that "disturbed some of my people, and others, but not me". The US president is in Tokyo for a state visit that included a meeting with ship the newly enthroned Emperor Naruhito on Monday morning, the first time the monarch has met a foreign leader since taking the throne. Trump's bilateral talks with Abe are expected to focus on trade, North Korea and military issues, as well as other diplomatic crises, including the tensions between Washington and Tehran. Abe has reportedly proposed serving as a mediator and is said to be weighing a state visit to Iran, and Trump said he remained open to talks. "I do believe that Iran would like to talk, and if they'd like to talk, we'd like to talk also," he said. "Nobody wants to see terrible things happen, especially me," he added. Trump said US-Japan relations have "never been better," but the allies are locked in negotiations over trade, with the US leader repeating Monday that America suffers a "tremendous imbalance" with Japan on trade. "We're working on that, and I'm sure that will work out over a period of time," Trump added, saying he expected the allies to be "announcing some things, probably in August, that will be very good for both countries". Watch: North Korea demands immediate return of Cargo Ship seized by US × "We'll get the balance of trade straightened out rapidly."

'Great respect' between US and North Korea: Donald Trump

un-security-council

Un Security Council, News on Un Security Council, stories on Un Security Council, articles on Un Security Council, Un Security Council stories at Wion, Un Security Council news, Un Security Council latest news

un security-council