Security Council extends UN peacekeeping missions in Côte d’Ivoire, Cyprus and Darfur. Security Council wrapped up its scheduled work for July with the unanimous extension of United Nations peacekeeping operations in Côte d’Ivoire and Darfur, – and a vote to continue the UN mission in Cyprus. The Council unanimously decided to extend the mandate of the UN Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) until 30 June 2014 to continue work on its core priorities of protecting civilians, disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of former combatants, and security sector reform. Members also agreed that the Mission should be reconfigured by 30 June 2014 to consist of 7,137 military personnel from the current limit of 10,400, as recommended in Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s latest report presented earlier this month by Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Hervé Ladsous. The Council noted a possible further reduction down to 5,437 military personnel by June 2015, depending on the security on the ground and the improved capacity of the Government to take over UNOCI’s security role. The Council also decided that UNOCI should reconfigure its military presence to concentrate resources in high-risk areas to more effectively assist the Government in protecting civilians and stability the security situation in the country. Turning to Cyprus, the Council extended until 31 January 2014 the mandate of the UN Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) by a vote of 13 to 0, with two members, Azerbaijan and Pakistan, abstaining.

United Nations News Centre - Security Council extends UN peacekeeping missions in Côte d’Ivoire, Cyprus and Darfur: "One of the longest-running UN peacekeeping missions, UNFICYP has been deployed on the island since 1964, when inter-communal fighting erupted between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities.

The Council today reiterated its call on the leadership of those two communities to accelerate the pace of talks aimed at reunifying the divided Mediterranean island nation.

Also today, the Security Council unanimously extended the mandate of the UN-African Union Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) for a further 13 months, until 31 August 2014." CLICK LINK TO READ FULL ARTTICLE

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Israelis, Palestinians set framework for Mideast peace talks. US Sec of State, John Kerry said the parties expect negotiations will be challenging. "We all appreciate -- believe me, we appreciate the challenges ahead," Kerry said. "But even as we look down the difficult road that is before us and consider the complicated choices that we face, we cannot lose sight of something that is often forgotten in the Middle East, and that is what awaits everybody with success." The nine-month time frame provides a period to explore ideas without fear of a walkout, officials said. Given the time and space, Kerry pledged all issues will be discussed. "The parties have agreed here today that all of the final-status issues, all of the core issues, and all other issues are all on the table for negotiation, and they are on the table with one simple goal: a view to ending the conflict, ending the claims," Kerry said. Israeli Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, Israel's chief negotiator, said before the dinner she hoped there would be "a better understanding now that it is in the interest of both of our people to reach an agreement to end this conflict." Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's special envoy, Isaac Molho, also participated in the talks. The Palestinian Authority was represented by chief negotiator Saeb Erekat, who negotiated the 1993 Oslo Accords with Israel, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' close adviser Mohammed Shtayyeh. The Palestinian delegation had no comment Monday night, but Abbas struck a hard line in Cairo, saying no Israeli settlers or border forces could remain in a future Palestinian state. "In a final resolution, we would not see the presence of a single Israeli -- civilian or soldier -- on our lands," Abbas said in a briefing to mostly Egyptian journalists. "An international, multinational presence like in Sinai, Lebanon and Syria -- we are [OK] with that," he said, referring to U.N. peacekeeping operations in those places. Read more: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2013/07/30/Peace-framework-worked-out-by-Israelis-Palestinians.....

Israelis, Palestinians set framework for Mideast peace talks [UPDATE] - UPI.com: "Israeli and Palestinian leaders have agreed to "remain engaged in sustained, continuous and substantive negotiations" toward a peace treaty, diplomats said.The Israeli and Palestinian delegations met Monday night and again Tuesday in Washington to discuss a framework for what U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said both sides have agreed will be at least nine months of peace talks following a three-year gap in face-to-face negotiations. The two sides are expected to meet to begin formal negotiations in two weeks in the Middle East at a location to be determined." 'via Blog this' CLICK LINK TO READ FULL ARTICLE