Syrian Crisis: India calls on all parties to end violence and cooperate with the international envoy, UN worried about ‘imminent’ face-off in Aleppo; Negotiators fail to agree on Arms Trade Treaty; Mandate of UN missions in Iraq and Cote d’Ivoire extended
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  • With the escalation of violence in Syria, India called on all parties both within and outside the country to cooperate with international envoy, Kofi Annan to put an end to the crisis. India also said that it does not see an alternative to the full implementation of UN resolutions 2042 and 2043. 1 Meanwhile, the UN has warned of an ‘imminent’ showdown between government troops and opposition forces in Syria’s largest city, Aleppo. According to a UN diplomat, the situation in Aleppo was being watched with ‘great concern’. 2

    According to reports, negotiators at the UN failed to meet the deadline to complete a new treaty that was aimed at regulating the estimated $60 billion global arms trade business. Major weapons exporting nations including the US said that they needed more time to finalize an agreement. Further negotiations are likely to take place at the next session of the UN General Assembly. 3

    In other developments, the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) was extended for a year. The UN Security Council also encouraged the government of Iraq to continue with the strengthening of democracy and rule of law while also improving security and combating terrorism. 4

    Reports noted that the mandate of the UN peacekeeping mission in Cote d’Ivoire was extended until 31 July 2013. The UN Security Council called on the government to enhance dialogue with the opposition and urged all perpetrators of human rights abuses and international humanitarian law violations be brought to justice. 5

    Separately, a professor from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, P R Shukla is among the lead authors from around the world who are preparing a report for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to ensure that actual global emissions are consistent with the 2 degree Celsius target. The report will be presented at the 2012 UN Climate Change Conference in Qatar. 6

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