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Monday, July 28, 2014

Security Council bans oil trade with ISIS (PRST)

Statement by the President of the Security Council
ON ILLICIT OIL TRADE AS SOURCE OF REVENUE FOR TERRORISTS IN SYRIA AND IRAQ


The Security Council recalls its resolutions 1267 (1999), 1373 (2001), 1989 (2011), 2129 (2013), 2133 (2014), and 2161 (2104) stresses the obligation of the Member States to prevent and suppress the financing of terrorist acts, and expresses grave concern over the reports of the access to and seizure of oilfields and pipelines in Syria and Iraq by terrorist groups listed by the Security Council 1267/1989 Committee, namely "Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant" and "Jabhat Al-Nusra", and underscores in this regard that any trade of oil with these entities would be inconsistent with the Council's resolutions and that all States are required to ensure that their nationals and any persons within their territory do not trade in oil with these entities.

The Security Council reaffirms its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Syria and Iraq, and in this regard, strongly Condemns any engagement in direct or indirect trade of oil from Syria and Iraq involving terrorist groups. The Security Council also emphasizes that such engagement constitutes financial support for terrorists and may lead to further sanctions listings if those groups are listed by the Security Council 1267/1989 Sanctions Committee as associated with Al-Qaida.

The Security Council notes with concern that any oilfields and related infrastructure controlled by terrorist organizations could generate material income for terrorists, which would support their recruitment efforts, including of foreign terrorist fighters, and strengthen their operational capability to organize and carry out terrorist attacks.

The Security Council reminds all States that they are required to ensure that their nationals and any persons within their territory not engage in any commercial or financial transactions with or for the benefit, directly or indirectly, of the "Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant" and "Jabhat Al-Nusra" notably with respect to oil in Syria and Iraq.

The Security Council also emphasizes the importance of all Member States upholding their obligation to ensure that their nationals and persons within their territory do not make donations to individuals and entities designated by the Security Council 1267/1989 Committee.

The Security Council calls upon all Member States, should any information on such activities be available to them, to bring it to the notice of the 1267/1989 Sanctions Committee and cooperate closely with the Security Council in this regard.
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Sunday, July 27, 2014

Security Council presidential statement on Gaza

DRAFT PRESIDENTIAL STATEMENT
The Security Council expresses grave concern regarding the deterioration in the situation as a result of the crisis related to Gaza and the loss of civilian lives and casualties.

The Security Council calls for full respect of international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilian population, and reiterates the need to take appropriate steps to ensure the safety and well-being of civilians and their protection.

The Security Council expresses strong support for the call by international partners and the Secretary-General of the United Nations for an immediate and unconditional humanitarian ceasefire, allowing for the delivery of urgently needed assistance, and they urged all parties to accept and fully implement the humanitarian ceasefire into the Eid period and beyond.  The Security Council commends the efforts of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry for their efforts in this regard.

The Security Council also calls on parties to engage in efforts to achieve a durable and fully respected ceasefire, based on the Egyptian initiative. In this regard, the Security Council welcomes the efforts of international partners and the convening of the international meeting to support the ceasefire held in Paris on July 26, 2014 and  urges all concerned regional and international parties to vigorously support efforts to consolidate an agreement between the parties.

The Security Council emphasizes that civilian and humanitarian facilities, including those of the UN, must be respected and protected, and called on all parties to act consistently with this principle.

The Security Council calls for the full implementation of resolution 1860 (2009) and stressed the need for immediate provision of humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian civilian population in the Gaza Strip, including through urgent additional contribution to UNRWA. The Security Council recognizes and commends the vital role played by the Agency, along with other United Nations agencies and humanitarian organizations, in addressing the critical humanitarian needs in Gaza.


The Security Council urges the parties and the international community to achieve a comprehensive peace based on the vision of a region where two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, live side by side in peace with secure and recognized borders as envisioned in Security Council resolution 1850 (2008).
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