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Thousands of children at risk in coup-hit C.Africa: UN

March 26, 2013 09:01
The lives of thousands of children are at risk in coup-hit Central Africa because of a lack of access to basic aid, food shortages and the ongoing use of child soldiers, the United Nations said Tuesday. "About 600,000 children have been affected by the conflict across the country," Marixie Mercado, spokeswoman for the UN's children's agency, told reporters in Geneva. "Many nutrition centres are closed and looted and an estimated 13,500 children are expected to suffer from life-threatening malnutrition this year," she said.

EU defends Italy envoy in row with India over marines

March 19, 2013 11:00
European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on Tuesday defended Italy's envoy to India, prevented from leaving the country due to a row over two Italian marines who skipped bail while on trial for murder in New Delhi. A statement from Ashton's office said she "notes with concern" an Indian Supreme Court decision the previous day requiring ambassador Daniele Mancini to seek permission of the court to leave the country.

URGENT ¥¥¥ Italy says India violating diplomatic immunity

March 18, 2013 17:45
Italy on Monday said India was violating a convention on diplomatic immunity by preventing the Italian ambassador from leaving the country in an escalating row over the case of two Italian marines on trial for killing two Indian fishermen. "The Supreme Court's decision to prevent our ambassador from leaving the country without the court's permission is a clear violation of the Vienna convention on diplomatic relations," the foreign ministry said in a statement. dt/gd/gk

UN arms treaty talks to resume amid hurdles

March 18, 2013 06:01
Talks resume Monday on a United Nations treaty to regulate the sale of conventional arms -- amid roadblocks put up by some of the world's key players. After four weeks of negotiations failed in July, the 193 members of the global body will again attempt to hammer out an accord that could force states to assess, before making a sale, whether weapons will be used for human rights violations, terrorism or organized crime.

Red Cross deplores high civilian deaths in Syria

March 15, 2013 08:15
The International Committee of the Red Cross said Friday it is "deplorable" people are getting used to the fact so many civilians are being killed each day in Syria's war. The ICRC said that humanitarian aid efforts, though continuing, were falling short of what was required to take care of millions of people affected by the devastating two-year-old conflict. "It is deplorable that high numbers of civilian casualties are now a daily occurrence to which people are unfortunately getting accustomed," said Robert Mardini, who heads the Red Cross' regional operations.

France, allies want special force for Mali UN mission

March 13, 2013 13:18
By John Irish and Michelle Nichols PARIS/UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - France and its African allies want a heavily-armed force able to counter any resurgent Islamist threat in Mali as part of a United Nations peacekeeping mission, diplomats said. The United Nations is considering setting up a 10,000-strong force in the former French colony before presidential and legislative elections in July, a deadline a European diplomat described on Tuesday as "a race against time".

UPDATE 1-France, allies want special force for Mali UN mission

March 12, 2013 16:45
* Security Council vote possible by mid-April * Aim would be to deploy mission ahead of July elections * France and African allies want 10,000 peacekeepers * Special rapid-reaction force likely (Adds comment from French defence ministry, Malian presidency) By John Irish and Michelle Nichols

France, allies want rapid-response force for Mali U.N. mission

March 12, 2013 13:00
* Security Council vote possible by mid-April * Aim would be to deploy mission ahead of July elections * France, Africa want 10,000 peacekeepers * French role not defined, special rapid-action force likely By John Irish and Michelle Nichols PARIS/UNITED NATIONS, March 12 (Reuters) - France and its African allies want a heavily armed force able to counter any resurgent Islamist threat in Mali as part of a United Nations peacekeeping mission, diplomats said.

Myanmar and Kachin rebels agree talks to reach ceasefire

March 12, 2013 05:00
Myanmar's government and Kachin rebels have agreed to continue talks to reach an elusive ceasefire during peace discussions hosted by China, the warring rivals said in a statement released on Tuesday. Representatives of the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO) -- and its armed wing the KIA -- met government officials led by President's Office Minister Aung Min in the Chinese border town of Ruili on Monday and Tuesday.

Unsafe conditions scuttle release of UN peacekeepers in Syria -UN

March 8, 2013 15:45
UNITED NATIONS, March 8 (Reuters) - The United Nations had arranged for the release of 21 peacekeepers seized by Syrian rebels earlier this week but had to call off the handover due to what it determined were unsafe conditions, a U.N. peacekeeping spokeswoman said on Friday. "Arrangements were made with all parties for the release of the 21 peacekeepers," the spokeswoman said. "UNDOF dispatched a team to the location but due to the late hour and the darkness it was considered unsafe to continue the operation. Efforts will continue tomorrow."
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