On Libya, After 21 Egyptian Copts Killed, Ban Ki-moon Speaks on Dialogue Facilitated by UN’s Leon, Not on Sisi Threat

By Matthew Russell Lee, for InnerCityPro.com UNITED NATIONS, February 16, more here -- The UN, after ousting Tarek Mitri as envoy in favor of Bernardino Leon, has been promoting its good works in Geneva and in the country. But after an ISIS affiliate in the country uploaded video of itself killing 21 Egyptian Copts, thing may be ...

On Yemen, GCC Plays Down Dropping of Word “Coup” by UNSC, Inner City Pro Asks of Saleh, Drafts Here

By Matthew Russell Lee UNITED NATIONS, February 15 -- On a cold Sunday in New York, the UN Security Council scheduled a 5 pm vote on a resolution on Yemen. Diplomats rushed in. The Gulf Cooperation Council had submitted a draft with the word "Houthi coup" in it, but the phrase did not survive. The GCC had ...

Exclusive: UN Jobs Sold By Ivorian Mission in Ladsous’ UN Peacekeeping, Leaks Show

By Matthew Russell Lee, for InnerCityPro.com UNITED NATIONS, February 7 -- In UN Peacekeeping under Herve Ladsous, position in missions from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Haiti was corruptly put up for sale, a 49-page “Strictly Confidential” UN investigative report obtained and exclusively published by Inner City Press show.    The report, by the Office ...

On Yemen, UNSC “Press Elements” Urge Houthis Back to UN-Led Talks, or “Further Steps”

By Matthew Russell Lee, for InnerCityPro.com UNITED NATIONS, January 23 -- After the Houthis essentially took over the presidency of Yemen, the UK put Yemen on the Security Council's agenda for the afternoon of February 6, under Any Other Business, Inner City Press first reported at 3:32 pm.   At 6 pm, the Security Council's ...

On Yemen, With Houthis in Control, UK Asks for UNSC Session

By Matthew Russell Lee, for InnerCityPro.com UNITED NATIONS, January 23 -- After the Houthis essentially took over the presidency of Yemen, the UK put Yemen on the Security Council's agenda for the afternoon of February 6, under Any Other Business, Inner City Pressfirst reported at 3:32 pm.  At the February 6 noon briefing, UN spokesman ...

IMF Answers on Process in Ghana and Mongolia, Commodities Prices Down, Mission to Sri Lanka

By Matthew Russell Lee for InnerCityPro.com UNITED NATIONS, February 5 -- At the International Monetary Fund's biweekly embargoed briefing on Thursday Inner City Pro asked IMF spokesperson Gerry Rice about the IMF's process in Ghana (and in Mongolia and Sri Lanka, see below).   Inner City Pro asked "In Ghana, President Mahama on Feb 3 ...

On Somalia, Inner City Pro Asks Kay of UN Guards, Somaliland, SEMG Regime Change Letter

  By Matthew Russell Lee for InnerCityPro.com UNITED NATIONS, February 4 -- After UN envoy Nicholas Kay briefed the Security Council about Somalia on February 4, Inner City Pro asked him six questions. Video here.   Inner City Press asked Kay about plans to further expand the UNSOM mission outside of Mogadishu. Kay mentioned Kismayo and ...

As China Heads UNSC, ICP Asks of Boko Haram and Burundi, No Palestine Resolution Foreseen – Yet

By Matthew Russell Lee, for InnerCityPro.com UNITED NATIONS, February 3 -- With China taking over the UN Security Council presidency for February, Chinese Permanent Representative Liu Jieyi on February 3 fielded questions from the media. Video here.   The upshot: Liu said no UNSC member has stated an intention to table a new resolution on ...