Pakistan wrapping up its rotational presidency of UN Security Council

UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan wraps up the Security Council's rotational presidency for January at midnight tonight after an eventful month marked by its efforts to forge consensus and bridge differences in the course of deliberations.

Diplomats here gave high marks to Pakistan's UN Ambassador Masood Khan for smooth and efficient running the 15-nation Council, the world body's power centre, and for his leadership during discussions of some of the key issues that it dealt with.

During the month, two important open debates were organized -- one on counterterrorism and the other on UN peacekeeping operations, in which Pakistan is a leading troop contributor. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon opened both the debates, which were held at a high level.

The counterterrorism debate was presided over by Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar. After a day-long debate, in which over 50 delegates participated, the Council stressed in an unanimously agreed presidential statement that terrorism could only be defeated by a sustained and comprehensive approach involving the participation and collaboration of all States and international and regional organizations.

The debate on Peacekeeping was chaired by Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani. At the conclusion of the debate, the Council adopted a unanimous resolution co-sponsored by all 15 Council members, the first substantive text on peacekeeping in 11 years, which recognized the importance of multidimensional approach peacekeeping and stressed that peacekeeping activities should be conducted in a manner that facilitated post-conflict peace building, helped prevent a relapse into conflict and assisted progress towards sustainable peace and development.

An exhibition of photographs was also held to mark 53 years of Pakistan's contribution for the United Nations Peacekeeping Missions, at which the secretary-general was the chief guest.

He lauded Pakistan for its commitment to UN peacekeeping, nothing that 9,000 Pakistani troops and other personnel were deployed in eight UN Peacekeeping Missions around the world. A Pakistan Army delegation, led by the Vice Chief of General Staff, General Mazhar Jamil, and Shahzadi Gulfam, an award-winning former Pakistani woman peacekeeper, were among a large and distinguished gathering at the exhibition.

The Council also had the quarterly open debate on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, and other burning issues, including Syria and Mali, were also discussed under Pakistan's presidency.

In addition, the subject of the Rule of Law also came under consideration. Ambassador Masood Khan, in his capacity as president of the UN Security Council, will brief the press on the the Council's activities on Thursday.