Veteran Norwegian reaches Syria as head of UN observer

As the UN-brokered peace deal not able to contain violence in Syria, and the relation between Syria and UN touching almost an all-time low, the arrival of Major General Robert Mood as the Chief UN observer in Damascus on Sunday couldn’t have been at a more difficult time. As the Chief UN observer, Major General Robert Mood understands the complexity of the task he has on hand. He is confident that his 300-unarmed observers would carry out their role and “make a difference” in Syria. He would be helped immediately by 30 ground observers. The number is expected to double in the coming week and the rest would join in a phased manner.

The city of Homs, which has borne the worst of the violence since the beginning of uprising, reported less violence on Sunday. Rebel forces have attributed this to the arrival of UN observers in Syria.  However, there were reports of gunfire and explosions in Damascus. The Central Bank building in the capital was hit by a grenade attack on Sunday and shown some damage.

Authorities in Damascus have claimed death of 2600 security personnel at the hands of rebel forces since the beginning of Syria uprising. A day before, Damascus has criticized the United Nations Chief Ban Ki-Moon for not telling the true picture and for turning a blind eye to Syria’s problems. On the other hand, the Bashaar-Al-Asaad government have been accused of killing 9000 people by the United Nations.

UN Secretary General set to visit Myanmar

Ban ki-moon, the secretary general of United Nations, is scheduled for an official visit to Myanmar at the end of this week. He would be in Myanmar at the invitation of President Thein Sein to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Aung San Sui Kyi as the opposition leader. This would be his third visit to the country which has seen sweeping victory of the pro-democracy leader Aung San Sui Kyi in the recently concluded by-elections. His last two visits were in 2008 and 2009. Ban ki-Moon is expected to reach Myanmar capital Yangon on Sunday and stay there for a few days.

As the United Nations chief, Ban is hopeful of Myanmar’s transition to democracy and has assured full cooperation from the UN. Ban has also welcomed the move taken by the United States and European Union to lift sanctions against the country. In fact, the European Union has already declared that it would lift most of the sanctions against Myanmar.

While the nation is awaiting the swearing-in ceremony of Aung San Sui Kyi, a disagreement has erupted between Sui Kyi’s National League for Democracy and the ruling party over wording of the oath that she and her party (elected) members are going to take. This has postponed the much-awaited event. However, Ban is hopeful that the leaders would iron out the difference and soon begin to work together for nation building.