Middle East Politics.Net » UN http://middleeastpolitics.net Facts, News, Trends, Analysis Tue, 12 Jan 2010 20:56:32 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Libya and Arab League Want End of Gaza Siege http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/12/04/libya-and-arab-league-want-the-end-of-the-gaza-siege/ http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/12/04/libya-and-arab-league-want-the-end-of-the-gaza-siege/#comments Fri, 05 Dec 2008 06:38:13 +0000 dcrowley http://middleeastpolitics.net/?p=3546 Libya, backed by the Arab League, has called for a UN Security council meeting to discuss the dire situation in the Gaza Strip in regards to Israel’s recent actions. In a statement today, the Arab League called for the UN to take action and allow humanitarian supplies to enter the Gaza Strip.

This comes after Israel recently turned back a Libyan vessel in Palestinian waters that was carrying humanitarian aid, forcing it back to Egypt. This event was the first time an Arab nation tried to break the Israeli siege and it is likely that the vessel will attempt to deliver its cargo again.

Israel has blockaded Gaza for the past year, since Hamas legally won elections in the region and seized control. At this point, Israel is just tarnishing its global image even more. It is time for Israel to recognize Hamas’s political grievances and legitimacy, while still targeting the Al-Qassam Brigade. Only then will any significant progress in the peace process be made.

David Crowley

]]> http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/12/04/libya-and-arab-league-want-the-end-of-the-gaza-siege/feed/ 0 IAEA Clears Syria’s Request for Nuclear Aid http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/12/03/the-iaea-has-cleared-syria%e2%80%99s-request-for-nuclear-aid/ http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/12/03/the-iaea-has-cleared-syria%e2%80%99s-request-for-nuclear-aid/#comments Thu, 04 Dec 2008 04:59:18 +0000 sanajong http://middleeastpolitics.net/?p=3447 In a move that has alienated the U.S. and some members of the EU, the UN’s nuclear agency, the IAEA, has overridden the West’s protest and granted Syria the aid it had requested for a nuclear power plant.

Syria still under investigation for having had a nuclear reactor, which was destroyed by an illegal air-strike by the Israelis, will be closely monitored by the IAEA as it forges forward with this project.

The West’s continual denouncement of Syria’s protests of innocence and the UN decision to back them regardless is a milestone for Syria and its image. While the West and Israel may not agree, the UN is willing to give this country a chance to prove itself as a true player and ally in the Middle East.

Sade San A Jong

]]> http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/12/03/the-iaea-has-cleared-syria%e2%80%99s-request-for-nuclear-aid/feed/ 0 New Evidence Emerges In Hariri Assassination Case http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/12/02/new-evidence-emerges-in-hariri-assassination-case/ http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/12/02/new-evidence-emerges-in-hariri-assassination-case/#comments Wed, 03 Dec 2008 06:51:04 +0000 sdemetri http://middleeastpolitics.net/?p=3359 A UN commission assigned to investigate the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri has revealed new evidence relevant to the case. According to the latest report, the 11th on the subject, the commission  “has acquired new information that may allow it to link additional individuals to the network that carried out the assassination.”

Hariri was killed along with 22 others in a truck bombing in 2005. The incident immediately sparked tension and conflict in Lebanon, particularly with neighboring Syria, whom many suspected of orchestrating or at least participating in the killing. The UN report seems to lend credence to this suspicion, with investigators citing the likely motive of the killing as Mr. Hariri’s vocal criticism of Syria’s military occupation of Lebanon. Earlier UN reports on the subject directly implicated senior Syrian officials, but the current report has refrained from explicitly naming any individual suspects. UN investigators did say that Syria’s cooperation was “generally satisfactory” throughout the investigation, although the government has continued to adamantly deny any responsibility for the assassination.

A UN special tribunal is scheduled to try the case beginning in March  2009.

Stefanie Demetriades

]]> http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/12/02/new-evidence-emerges-in-hariri-assassination-case/feed/ 0 UN Questions Israel’s Restrictions http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/12/01/un-questions-israels-restrictions/ http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/12/01/un-questions-israels-restrictions/#comments Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:47:29 +0000 rooparad http://middleeastpolitics.net/?p=3211 UN officials helping the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have stated that Israel is limiting UN assistance within the territory.  They see this as a violation of international law, especially because there is no reason to be cutting off basic services from the UN. In fact, Israel has even sent the UN a list of supplies they prohibit them from distributing as “necessities” within the region; some of these goods include glassware, yarn, paper, kitchenware, etc. UN sources say that it is tough to even maintain the UN offices within the Gaza Strip, let alone serve the millions of Palestinians who need basic necessities.

The UN Relief and Work Agency will be meeting with Israeli coordinator Amos Gilad next week to discuss how they can further developments in the UN’s help within the Gaza Strip.

Gaza continues to suffer, especially since the election of Hamas in 2006, when the Israeli blockade was set up. It has caused humanitarian suffering and more tension between the antagonists.

Roopa Radhakrishnan

]]> http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/12/01/un-questions-israels-restrictions/feed/ 0 Syria Requests Aid from IAEA: U.S. Protests http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/11/24/syria-requests-aid-from-the-iaea-us-protests/ http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/11/24/syria-requests-aid-from-the-iaea-us-protests/#comments Tue, 25 Nov 2008 04:00:26 +0000 sanajong http://middleeastpolitics.net/?p=2850 The International Atomic Energy Agency has preliminarily agreed to aid Syria in a civilian atomic power project. Syria, however, is still under investigation for allegedly building a reactor with North Korean aid in 2007. While there is no conclusive evidence, they are still under investigation. The United States protests that such aid would be “contradictory” and “almost ironic.”

Do you think that the U.S. has a right to object to such aid? Specially since Syria is requesting it from the UN and not them?

Sade San A Jong

]]> http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/11/24/syria-requests-aid-from-the-iaea-us-protests/feed/ 0 Jordan and Other Arab States Warn about Iran http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/11/23/jordan-warns-about-iran/ http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/11/23/jordan-warns-about-iran/#comments Sun, 23 Nov 2008 18:04:07 +0000 malcoun http://middleeastpolitics.net/?p=2762 Iran and Syria have failed to cooperate with two investigations regarding suspected clandestine nuclear work according to the United Nations atomic agency. Shiite Muslim-governed Iran supports Hezbollah, based in Lebanon. The United States classifies Hezbollah as a terrorist organization working with both Iran and Syria. The U.S. allies, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt have warned of the spread of Iran’s influence through Shiite surrogates. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has often denied Israel’s right to exist. The United States has accused the government in Tehran of supporting insurgents in Iraq who have fought American troops.

Kasey Malcoun

]]> http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/11/23/jordan-warns-about-iran/feed/ 0 Syria Puts UN Nuclear Inspection on Ice http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/11/21/syria-puts-un-nuclear-inspection-on-ice/ http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/11/21/syria-puts-un-nuclear-inspection-on-ice/#comments Fri, 21 Nov 2008 21:55:21 +0000 sanajong http://middleeastpolitics.net/?p=2696 Syria has refused continued attempts by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to inspect sites in Syria that may or may not have been linked to earlier terrorist attacks this year. They initially had agreed on one, but as the IAEA requests more, Syria has boldly said, “No.”.

This is eerily reminiscent of Iraq’s refusal to allow UN inspection of its sites some years ago. Will this refusal have any impact on Syria’s standing in the world and on its assertion that it does not and is not developing nuclear weapons, or is not aiding Iran? Should Syria should allow further inspections –or has it already done enough to cooperate with the IAEA?

Sade San A Jong


]]> http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/11/21/syria-puts-un-nuclear-inspection-on-ice/feed/ 0 UN Secretary-General Concerned about Israeli Blockade http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/11/19/un-secretary-general-concerned-about-israeli-blockade/ http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/11/19/un-secretary-general-concerned-about-israeli-blockade/#comments Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:46:05 +0000 flor http://middleeastpolitics.net/?p=2605 UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon has expressed his concern about the humanitarian conditions in Gaza to Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. He urged Olmert to ease the delivery of aid to the region which has been under Israeli blockade since new violence erupted several weeks ago. Israel had been easing the flow of goods into Gaza, including fuel and humanitarian supplies, but sealed off the region again on Tuesday, after renewed rocket attacks. The United Nations’ top human rights official has said that Israel’s blockade is depriving inhabitants of Gaza of such basic rights.

Ashley Flor

]]> http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/11/19/un-secretary-general-concerned-about-israeli-blockade/feed/ 0 King Abdullah Returns Home http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/11/16/king-abdullah-returns-home/ http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/11/16/king-abdullah-returns-home/#comments Sun, 16 Nov 2008 21:08:32 +0000 mmunguia http://middleeastpolitics.net/?p=2419 King Abdullah has finally concluded a trip that included stops in Algeria, the United States and the United Kingdom.

In Algeria, the King met with President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. In this meeting, he reinforced his support to the country for fighting all kinds of terrorism and extremism. The two leaders also spoke about political development of the Arab countries and efforts for achieving peace.

In the United States, King Abdullah was part of the High Level Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly. In a speech, he emphasized the importance of a dialogue regarding faiths, cultures, and civilizations in order to end conflicts around the world. He noted the importance of Saudi Arabia in leading this discussion.

In the United Kingdom, the monarch spoke at the Royal College of Defense Studies. Here he reiterated that the only solution for the conflict between Israel and Palestine is a two-state solution.

Mayra Munguia

]]> http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/11/16/king-abdullah-returns-home/feed/ 0 Iraqi Minorities Insulted http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/11/04/iraqi-minorities-insulted/ http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/11/04/iraqi-minorities-insulted/#comments Tue, 04 Nov 2008 15:16:50 +0000 hackenda http://middleeastpolitics.net/?p=1987 Earlier this fall, minorities in Iraq spoke out against a revision to a provincial election law that struck a clause guaranteeing Christians and other minorities political representation. In response to their pleas, members of Iraqi parliament voted to allocate 6 seats to religious and ethnic minorities – 6 out of 400.

This decision was met with disappointment, criticism and in some cases outrage from Christians, Yazidis, Mandeans and Shabaks in Iraq. The UN had proposed delegating at least 12 seats for minority representation, but Iraqis in these particular subgroups were hoping for more. Although the law now moves on to a vote by the three-member Iraqi presidency council, it is unlikely that the number of seats for these minorities will increase.

Haley Hackendale

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