The following press statement on the death of the President of Kosovo was delivered today by the President of the Security Council, Augustine P. Mahiga (United Republic of Tanzania):

Members of the Security Council were saddened to learn of the passing away of the President of Kosovo, Ibrahim Rugova, this weekend.  They expressed their deep condolences to the Government and the people of Kosovo for the untimely death of their leader.  Members of the Council trust that the people of Kosovo, while mourning this grave loss, will continue nonetheless, to pursue a peaceful conclusion of the process already underway to determine the future status of Kosovo, in the interest of peace, stability and wellbeing of the entire population of Kosovo.

Press Statement on Afghanistan by Security Council President - 17.01.06

Following is today’s press statement on Afghanistan by the President of the Security Council, Augustine P. Mahiga (United Republic of Tanzania):

The members of the Security Council heard a briefing by Mr. Jean Arnault, Special Representative of the Secretary General for Afghanistan.  They expressed special gratitude to him for his devoted contribution on this issue.

The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attacks in the province of Kandahar on 14, 15 and 16 January 2006, for which the Taliban has claimed responsibility.  They expressed their condolences to the Government and people of Afghanistan for the many Afghan victims of the attacks, including many civilians.  They also extended their condolences to the Government and people of Canada for those killed and injured in the attack against the Canadian Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT).  They expressed their sadness at the loss of their former colleague, Glyn Berry, who was serving as the PRT's Political Director.

They stressed that the latest terrorist attacks once again underline the necessity to improve safety and security of the country.  The members reiterated that no terrorist acts can reverse the path towards peace and reconstruction in Afghanistan, which is supported by the people and Government of Afghanistan and the international community.  They urged the parties concerned to make every effort to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed the importance of the London Conference on Afghanistan to be held on 31 January and 1 February, and looked forward to the launching of a new “Afghanistan Compact” to provide a solid framework for the next stage of the reconstruction of Afghanistan, with Afghan ownership and international assistance.

SECURITY COUNCIL PRESS STATEMENT ON WORK OF COMMISSION INVESTIGATING KILLING OF FORMER LEBANESE PRIME MINISTER HARIRI - 17.01.06 (Delayed in transmission.)

The following statement to the press was delivered on 13 January by Security Council President Augustine P. Mahiga (United Republic of Tanzania):

The members of the Security Council welcome the Secretary-General's decision to appoint Mr. Serge Brammertz as the Commissioner of the United Nations International Independent Investigation Commission into the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri.

They commend his predecessor, Mr. Detlev Mehlis, for his outstanding work as the head of the Commission.

The members of the Security Council also took note with satisfaction of the Secretary-General’s decision to dispatch rapidly a mission to Lebanon in order to fully implement resolution 1644.

They reiterate their full support for the work of the Commission and its mandate to assist the Lebanese authorities to bring the perpetrators of this crime to justice. They reaffirm the need for all parties concerned to cooperate fully and unconditionally with the Commission, in accordance with resolutions 1595, 1636 and 1644.