The Security Council has urged both parties to the agreement that ended the war between northern and southern Sudan to iron out outstanding issues before Southern Sudan becomes a separate country in July, and encouraged them to enter dialogue with the United Nations on the future of its presence there.

File Photo - Southern Sudan Referendum Commission announces preliminary results for the region's referendum, which was overwhelmingly in favor of secession from the north in January 2011. Photo: UNMIS/Tim McKulka

"Noting that the conclusion of the CPA [Comprehensive Peace Agreement] Interim Period on July 9 is soon approaching, the Council urges the parties, meeting at the highest level, as necessary, to reach agreement on outstanding CPA issues and post-CPA arrangements," the Council said in a presidential statement.

In a briefing to the Council on April 21, Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Atul Khare, said key elements of the CPA, which was signed in 2005, may not be resolved before the south formally separates from the rest of the country in early July. He warned that disputes over the sticking points threaten to pull the parties back into open conflict.

In the presidential statement, the Council stressed its concern over increased tensions, violence, and displacement in the Abyei area and urged both the government of Sudan and the government of Southern Sudan to implement and stick to recent security agreements by withdrawing from the territory all forces other than the Joint Integrated Units and Joint Integrated Police Units allowed under those pacts.

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Darfur peace process entering crucial phase, UN official tells Security Council

The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Côte d'Ivoire has deplored the ongoing fighting in neighborhoods of the commercial capital, Abidjan, warning that the clashes could threaten efforts to restore peace and security following the recent post-electoral crisis.

April 14, 2011 - The UN Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) resumes its activities in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire with an officer on patrol in the district. Less than one week ago former Ivorian president Laurent Gbagbo surrendered to the internationally recognized new president, Alassane Ouattara, ending a months-long stand-off in which UNOCI staff had also been targeted. UN Photo/Basile Zoma

The refusal by former president Laurent Gbagbo to stand down after he lost the UN-certified run-off poll in November plunged the West African country into four months of violence, with his troops pitted against forces loyal to Alassane Ouattara, the internationally recognized President. Mr. Gbagbo surrendered last week and was taken into custody.

In recent days there has been persistent fighting in Yopougon as well as clashes in Abobo between units belonging to the Invisible Commando, a group that had been fighting against the forces loyal to Mr. Gbagbo, and the Forces Républicaines de Côte d'Ivoire (FRCI), according to the UN Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI).

The mission is holding discussions with the parties to resolve the situation and has also strengthened its presence in Yopougon, said spokesperson Hamadoun Touré.

"During the past week, UNOCI conducted 976 land, mixed and aerial patrols," Mr. Touré told reporters in Abidjan, adding that the mission has decided to double the number of peacekeepers in Yopougon. About 100 UN troops will set up around-the-clock patrols.

"We are contributing to ensuring security while at the same time preserving our military impartiality," he said.

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The United Nations political affairs chief has voiced concern over the continuing deadlock in peace talks aimed at resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and urged both parties to make bold and decisive steps to end the stalemate and to avoid violence and provocative actions that could undermine political efforts.

April 21, 2011 - B. Lynn Pascoe (left), Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, briefs the Security Council on the situation in Israel and the Palestinian territories, and in particular on stalemated negotiations between the two leaderships. UN Photo/John McIlwaine

"Both parties should be concerned that the political track is falling behind the significant progress being made by the Palestinian Authority in its state-building agenda," said B. Lynn Pascoe, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, in a briefing to the Security Council on the situation in the Middle East on April 21.

"The international community is rightly concerned at the protracted stalemate in the peace process. We stress the importance of supporting and empowering the leadership of [Palestinian) President [Mahmoud] Abbas and Prime Minister [Salam] Fayyad, and of bringing the parties back to the table," he said.

Mr. Pascoe pointed out that in its report to the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC) meeting in Brussels on April 13, the UN made clear its assessment that in the six areas where it is most engaged with the Palestinian Authority, governmental functions are now sufficient for a viable government of a state. In parallel, Israeli measures to facilitate movement have also supported economic activity and access to basic services, he added.

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