United Nation

Ban urges release of all political prisoners in Myanmar

Ban urges release of all political prisoners in Myanmar New York  - The government of Myanmar should release all political prisoners after deciding to set free several of them this week, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said Wednesday.

Among those released was U Win Tin, who spent 19 years in jail, and six members of the National League for Democracy, which is headed by Aung San Suu Kyi.

Suu Kyi has been put under house arrest for more than 10 years by Myanmar's military government for challenging the military leaders to undertake democratic reforms. The UN has been calling for her release to no avail.

France says an enlarged G-8 could help settle world problems

France says an enlarged G-8 could help settle world problemsNew York  - French President Nicolas Sarkozy called Tuesday for adding new members to the exclusive G-8 and the UN Security Council so they can more effectively deal with problems that continue to defy efforts by Western governments.

Sarkozy said in an address to the UN General Assembly that the UN Security Council, currently with 15 members, and the world's group of eight leading industrialized nations (G-8) should be enlarged to reflect demands of emerging countries.

UN Security Council extends mandate for international Afghan force

UN Security Council extends mandate for international Afghan forceNew York  - The UN Security Council on Monday voted to keep international troops in Afghanistan for another year and called on countries to boost their force commitments to deal with growing instability.

The 15-nation council's unanimous decision extends the mandate of the NATO-led force until at least October 2009. The council said more troops and equipment were needed to meet the mission's "operational requirements." A Taliban resurgence has sparked an uptick in violence in Afghanistan since the spring.

UN seeks 460 million dollars for drought-stricken Ethiopians

UN seeks 460 million dollars for drought-stricken Ethiopians New York  - The World Food Programme on Monday issued an appeal for nearly half a billion dollars to assist 9.6 million Ethiopians affected by drought and high food prices, for the next six months.

"The Horn of Africa region is facing the worst humanitarian crisis since 1984, and Ethiopia is caught in the middle," said WFP Executive Director Josette Sheeran. "We know what needs to be done. We just need the funds to go out and do our job - protecting the hungry."

UN says Eritrea fails to cooperate in border probe

UN says Eritrea fails to cooperate in border probe New York  - The UN Security Council on Wednesday faulted the Eritrean government for rejecting a UN team that sought to investigate border clashes between it and Djibouti.

The fighting in June resulted in the deaths of several soldiers from Djibouti. Djibouti said Eritrea invaded its border and complained to the council, which dispatched the team to the area to investigate.

UN condemns attack on US embassy in Yemen, demands justice

UN condemns attack on US embassy in Yemen, demands justice New York  - The United Nations on Wednesday condemned the terrorist attack aimed at the United States embassy in Yemen that killed at least 16 people and injured many other civilians.

Both the UN Security Council and Secretary General Ban Ki-moon issued statements "strongly condemning" the attacks.

Ban said he was "saddened" by the reported 16 deaths, which included Yemeni guards and civilians outside the embassy in the capital Sana'a.

Pages