UN CHIEF SPOTLIGHTS EGYPT, SYRIA AND PAKISTAN IN FIRST PRESS CONFERENCE SINCE MIDDLE EAST VISIT

From: UNNews <UNNews@un.org>
Date: 19 Aug 2013 16:00:00 -0400
Subject: UN CHIEF SPOTLIGHTS EGYPT, SYRIA AND PAKISTAN IN FIRST PRESS
CONFERENCE SINCE MIDDLE EAST VISIT
To: news11@ny-mail-p-lb-028.ptc.un.org

UN CHIEF SPOTLIGHTS EGYPT, SYRIA AND PAKISTAN IN FIRST PRESS
CONFERENCE SINCE MIDDLE EAST VISITNew York, Aug 19 2013
4:00PMSecretary-General Ban Ki-moon
<"http://www.un.org/sg/offthecuff/index.asp?nid=2934">told reporters
today that has dispatched the top United Nations political official to
hold wide-ranging talks in Cairo on how the Organization can best
support peace and reconciliation efforts in Egypt.

Speaking in his first press conference since returning from a trip to
the Middle East region and Pakistan, Mr. Ban reiterated that the UN
"stands ready to support Egyptian-led approaches to resolving the
current crisis."

"I have asked the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Jeff
Feltman, to hold wide-ranging discussions in Cairo starting from
tomorrow with a focus on how the United Nations can best support
initiatives to restore peace and forge reconciliation in Egypt," he
said in New York.

The UN chief added that given the "sharp polarization in Egyptian
society," both the authorities and the political leaders share the
responsibility to end the widespread outbreak of violent protests and
excessive use of force which have led to more than 500 deaths and
thousands of injuries over the past four days.

Turning to Syria, Mr. Ban said that the UN team probing the alleged
use of chemical weapons began its work today, and urged "full access"
to the sites of the alleged incidents.

The Secretary-General stressed that the team, which arrived this
weekend in Damascus, should have access to the reported sites to
undertake necessary analysis and collect samples, as well as interview
and examine witnesses, victims, attending medical personnel, and to
conduct of post-mortem examinations.

"If confirmed, the use of chemical weapons by any side under any
circumstances must be held accountable and would constitute an
international crime," Mr. Ban said. "Anyone responsible must be held
accountable."

Led by Åke Sellström, the team will spend up to 14 days, with a
possible extension, probing the alleged use of chemical weapons by the
Government of Syria at Khan al-Asal, as well as two other allegations
reported by Member States.

He noted that the serious security situation inside the country "will
undoubtedly affect the Mission's activities" and that the Government
and the all other entities within the country have assured him that
they will ensure the safety and security of the Mission.

The UN chief launched the fact-finding mission earlier this year
following a formal request from the Syrian Government. It is the first
probe of allegations of the use of weapons of mass destruction in the
21st century.

Turning to Israeli and Palestinian peace efforts, Mr. Ban said he
travelled to the Middle East region to underscore the UN's commitment
to a just and lasting peace: "There is at last a fresh opportunity for
real progress towards a peace agreement. Both Israeli and Palestinian
leaders must seize this historic opportunity."

While in the region, Mr. Ban said he had "quite moving experiences"
meeting young students with whom he had inspiring conversations. In
Ramallah, he had a videoconference with students joining from Gaza and
the West Bank, while in Jerusalem, he met with a students at the
Government House.

"We are living in an interconnected world; a very diversified
society," he said, stressing the importance of the Alliance of
Civilizations initiative to promote mutual understanding and respect
for others.

During his latest travels, Mr. Ban also visited Pakistan where he said
he met "everyone from Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to young students."

"I left confident that the close bonds between Pakistan and the UN are
growing even stronger," Mr. Ban told the press. "We will continue to
support Pakistan as it tackles challenges at home and strengthen their
relationship with neighbours."

During the press conference, Mr. Ban
<"http://www.un.org/sg/offthecuff/index.asp?nid=2933">announced that
he will depart on 21 August for an official visit to the Republic of
Korea. He will then visit the Netherlands to participate in the
centennial anniversary of the Peace Palace, and then Austria to
participate in a retreat between the United Nations and the European
Union co-organized by Mr. Ban and President José Manuel Barroso of the
European Commission.Aug 19 2013 4:00PM
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