ISTANBUL — The Syrian government announced on Friday that it would participate in next round of Geneva peace talks aimed at ending the country’s civil war, as civilians trapped in a rebel-controlled part of Homs, one of the conflict’s urban epicenters, began trickling out under a deal negotiated by the United Nations. Syria’s official SANA news agency said at least 58 people, mostly women, children and the elderly, had departed the besieged Old City neighborhood of Homs by midafternoon. Syrian state television broadcast images of frail civilians escorted onto a bus by members of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent. Vehicles from the United Nations refugee agency and World Food Program could also be seen. Later the United Nations said at least 83 people had been evacuated and “delivered to places of their choice” by United Nations and Red Crescent staff members. - Syria Says It Will Stay in Peace Talks as Homs Evacuation Begins - NYTimes.com

Syria Says It Will Stay in Peace Talks as Homs Evacuation Begins - NYTimes.com: "The Homs governor, Talal al-Barazi, was quoted by SANA as saying that he expected 200 civilians to be evacuated by day’s end and that he had reached an agreement with the United Nations to allow aid deliveries inside the besieged area to those who chose to remain."



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Chinese President, UN Chief Vow to Promote World Peace, Development - As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China will perform its due international duties, vigorously participate in the works of the UN, promote peaceful settlement of international disputes, so as to provide more Chinese wisdom and strength in safeguarding world peace and security and in promoting mankind's common development, he added. For his part, Ban said the UN highly values China's leading role in dealing with various global challenges, adding that among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, China dispatches the largest number of peacekeepers. China has sent navy vessels to escort the shipments of Syrian chemical weapons, actively promoted peaceful solutions of the issues of Syria and South Sudan -- all of which demonstrate that China has made important contributions to safeguarding world peace and security, said Ban. Meanwhile, Xi briefed his views on the current situation in Northeast Asia, stressing that China is willing to make joint efforts with relevant countries for regional peace and stability. A correct view of history must be built and the post-World War II international order be consolidated in a bid to realize the good neighborly and friendly relations in the region, said the Chinese leader. The year 2015 will witness the 70th anniversary of the founding of the UN, as well as the 70th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the victory of Chinese people's Anti-Japanese War. Xi wished that the UN will promote international efforts to hold activities to commemorate the anniversaries. Ban expressed the hope that Northeast Asia can maintain stability and prosperity, saying the UN is willing to work together with different countries to jointly bring forward the world's peace and development cause. The two sides also exchanged views on the Syrian crisis and the situation on the Korean Peninsula, as well as climate change. Xi expounded China's stands on those issues.

CLICK LINK TO READ ARTICLE: Chinese President, UN Chief Vow to Promote World Peace, Development: "Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday met with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in Sochi, ahead of the opening ceremony of the 22nd Winter Olympic Games."



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Chinese President, UN Chief Vow to Promote World Peace, Development - As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China will perform its due international duties, vigorously participate in the works of the UN, promote peaceful settlement of international disputes, so as to provide more Chinese wisdom and strength in safeguarding world peace and security and in promoting mankind's common development, he added. For his part, Ban said the UN highly values China's leading role in dealing with various global challenges, adding that among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, China dispatches the largest number of peacekeepers. China has sent navy vessels to escort the shipments of Syrian chemical weapons, actively promoted peaceful solutions of the issues of Syria and South Sudan -- all of which demonstrate that China has made important contributions to safeguarding world peace and security, said Ban. Meanwhile, Xi briefed his views on the current situation in Northeast Asia, stressing that China is willing to make joint efforts with relevant countries for regional peace and stability. A correct view of history must be built and the post-World War II international order be consolidated in a bid to realize the good neighborly and friendly relations in the region, said the Chinese leader. The year 2015 will witness the 70th anniversary of the founding of the UN, as well as the 70th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the victory of Chinese people's Anti-Japanese War. Xi wished that the UN will promote international efforts to hold activities to commemorate the anniversaries. Ban expressed the hope that Northeast Asia can maintain stability and prosperity, saying the UN is willing to work together with different countries to jointly bring forward the world's peace and development cause. The two sides also exchanged views on the Syrian crisis and the situation on the Korean Peninsula, as well as climate change. Xi expounded China's stands on those issues.

CLICK LINK TO READ ARTICLE: Chinese President, UN Chief Vow to Promote World Peace, Development: "Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday met with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in Sochi, ahead of the opening ceremony of the 22nd Winter Olympic Games."



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Conflict-torn C.Africa gets first woman president. The mayor of the Central African Republic's capital Bangui was chosen as interim president Monday, becoming the first woman to lead the violence-wracked country, as the European Union agreed to send hundreds of troops to help stem the bloodshed. Catherine Samba-Panza, a businesswoman with a reputation as a fighter who became Bangui mayor last year, was elected in a second-round vote by the transitional parliament. She now faces the enormous task of restoring peace to the chronically unstable country. Cheers broke out in the assembly as the result was announced, with lawmakers singing the national anthem in celebration. In her victory speech, Samba-Panza -- who won 75 votes against 53 for Desire Kolingba, the son of a former president -- called for an end to violence by the mostly Muslim Seleka ex-rebels and Christian self-defence militias known as "anti-balaka" (anti-machete). "I'm launching a resounding appeal to my anti-balaka children who are listening to me: Show your support for my nomination by giving the strong signal of laying down your weapons," said Samba-Panza, who is Christian but did not campaign on a religious platform. "To my ex-Seleka children who are also listening to me: Lay down your weapons," she said. "Stop the suffering of the people." - Yahoo News Philippines

CLICK LINK TO READ>>> Conflict-torn C.Africa gets first woman president - Yahoo News Philippines: "The 59-year-old called herself "the president of all Central Africans, without exclusion", and said her top priority was "to stop people's suffering, to restore security and the authority of the state across the country"."



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UPDATE: DRC: Efforts to attain peace and stability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are at an important juncture, senior United Nations officials said, calling on all parties in the region to fulfilL their commitments to achieve lasting peace. “It is the concrete implementation of national commitment in the DRC and commitments at the regional level that would lead to sustainable peace in the region, and this cannot wait any longer,” the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region, Mary Robinson, said in a briefing to the Security Council. Addressing the 15-member body by video link from the Congolese capital, Kinshasa, Mrs. Robinson said that the positive atmosphere that prevailed last month in the aftermath of the defeat of the M23 rebel group has “vanished” and that the region is going through a period of renewed turbulence. This has been marked by deadly attacks in eastern DRC by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebel group, the ongoing crisis in Central African Republic (CAR) and the eruption of fighting in South Sudan. Amid this fragility in the region, Mrs. Robinson said that the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the DRC and the Region – signed by 11 nations in February 2013 – remains “the best chance” to achieve sustainable peace, security, cooperation and development in the Great Lakes Region. “However, it is essential that the pace of its implementation be increased in order to maximize its impact,” she said of the accord. At the national level, she said efforts to reform the security sector should be significantly increased and accelerated – which would be essential for expanding State authority, particularly in eastern DRC. Another priority is the swift implementation of an effective programme to disarm and reintegrate former M23 combatants. The envoy noted that at the regional level, signatory countries must also begin implementing their commitments, including working towards further economic integration and concrete confidence-building steps such as ensuring that no one is harbouring individuals responsible for grave human rights violations or assisting armed groups. The Framework agreement is at a crucial juncture, Mrs. Robinson stressed. “However, what is most important for meaningful progress is the immediate implementation of all commitments at the national and regional levels in order to bring about concrete peace dividends and lasting life improvements to the people in the region.” Martin Kobler, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for DRC, told the Council that the signing last year of the Framework was a major milestone, along with the creation of the intervention brigade within the UN peacekeeping force, known as MONUSCO. “With the Force Intervention Brigade and our unmanned aerial vehicles, all armed groups are aware now that we have the will and the means to take robust action at any time,” said Mr. Kobler, who is also head of MONUSCO. “In the coming weeks, we will finalize the review of our military deployment across eastern Congo. We will then have a more flexible force. We need it to be more agile, ready to deploy when it is needed and where civilians are threatened, to take on the threat.” At the same time, he noted that peace in eastern DRC can only be durable if its root causes are addressed. “Restitution of State authority alone is not enough. Only regional cooperation and good governance will provide the peace dividend the population is expecting,” he said. In this regard, he cited the need for legalizing and regulating the current exploitation and trade of conflict minerals in order to substantially increase state revenues. “Thus, Congo’s natural wealth will help finance the economic and social challenges of the country. Obviously, this has to be done in partnership with the Government of the DRC and neighbouring States, the private sector and with the assistance of the international community.” - United Nations News Centre - DR Congo peace efforts, regional framework at crucial juncture, UN officials stress

CLICK LINK FOR THE ARTICLE SOURCE: United Nations News Centre - DR Congo peace efforts, regional framework at crucial juncture, UN officials stress:

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UPDATE: 2014 International Year of Solidarity with the Palestinian People: Urging that the observance be used to redouble efforts to achieve a durable peace between Israel and Palestine. “The coming year will be crucial to achieving the two-State solution,” Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson said in his remarks to the UN General Assembly’s Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People. Mr. Eliasson said Israeli and Palestinian negotiators are working hard towards a peaceful, comprehensive settlement of all permanent status issues. That means a settlement that ends the occupation that started in 1967 and which would end the conflict. It also means securing an independent, viable and sovereign State of Palestine living alongside a secure State of Israel, where each side recognizes the other’s legitimate rights, he added. “The Secretary-General and I urge all in the international community to work together to translate the solidarity and desire for peace expressed on this occasion into positive action for security and for justice.” Last November, the General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming 2014 as the International Year of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, and requested the Committee to organize activities around the observance. General Assembly President John Ashe told today’s meeting that he hoped the Year leads to “robust” support for the people of Palestine. “I am sure I speak for many when I say that I hope the Year helps foster an atmosphere of dialogue and mutual understanding between the two sides of this decades-long conflict,” he said. “We live in an international context that requires cooperation among all parties, entities and beings to find solutions to the challenges facing the human family. There are no exceptions; Israel and Palestine must find agreement on the conditions in which they can live side by side in peace and security.” UN officials, including Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, have noted that 2014 could be a an important year in the Middle East peace process, if both sides are willing to take bold steps and refrain from actions that undermine progress in the peace talks that resumed last year. “Now is the time for vision, compromise and deepening of respect. Let us make this year – 2014 – the decisive year for achieving peace between Israel and Palestine,” said Mr. Ashe. “I implore all those who have a stake in this outcome – Governments, international organizations, and people everywhere – to do their part.” - United Nations News Centre - UN officials hope observance of International Year will lead to Israeli-Palestinian peace

CLICK LINK FOR THE ARTICLE SOURCE: United Nations News Centre - UN officials hope observance of International Year will lead to Israeli-Palestinian peace:

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The Senior Programme Officer, Field Project Financing and Budgeting of the United Nations, Ms Hannah Davies has begun a fact finding mission on Nigeria’s participation in peace keeping. Davies, who led a team of UN surveyors to the Defence Headquarters, said their visit is in line with the United Nations’ mandate last year to pursue a different approach to doing surveys to find out the cost involved in a country’s contribution to UN peacekeeping. The survey, which will last for three days, will cover five categories which include training deployment medicals, allowances, personnel, gears and equipment. The Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Ibrahim Attahiru, during the October 2013 monthly press briefing of the army in Abuja had dispelled a rumour that the authorities were deliberately with holding allowances of soldiers that participated in peace keeping mission. Attahiru said “The Nigerian Army commenced its participation in peace support operations in 1961. The first actors of this noble endeavour are still alive and can testify to the fact that the Nigerian Army has never held back operational allowances, or any allowance for that matter, of any personnel in the last 52 years of its involvement in peace support operations,” he said. - UN To Investigate Nigeria’s Participation In Peace Keeping – www.channelstv.com

UN To Investigate Nigeria’s Participation In Peace Keeping – www.channelstv.com: "Attahiru stated that some administrative and logistic factors might delay the payment of such allowances but disclosed that the army has ways of filling the vacuum saying “At times, administrative and logistic bottlenecks may delay the release of funds. The army headquarters has always made efforts to fill in the void, more so troops are kept informed of all developments” revealing that the “United Nations (UN) admitted to owing Nigeria and four other countries N127.2 billion accrued through her peacekeeping efforts to the global organisation.”"

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