The Security Council on Friday adopted a resolution to extend the mandate of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia for another year, until Oct. 31, 2027.
Resolution 2833 decides that the mission's mandate will be focused on its primary function only: the reincorporation of former combatants of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and personal and collective security guarantees.
After casting an affirmative vote, the Chinese representative emphasized that the resolution reflects the firm support of the Security Council and the international community for Colombia's peace process.
"This reflects the firm support of the Security Council and the international community for the peace process in Colombia, a development that China welcomes," said Sun Lei, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations.
The Colombian government and the FARC struck a peace deal in August 2016 after four years of negotiations in Havana, Cuba. The UN Security Council in July 2017 approved the establishment of the Verification Mission to verify the political, economic and social reintegration of former FARC combatants as well as security guarantees.
The mandate of the mission was later expanded to include monitoring the implementation of the 2016 peace agreement's comprehensive rural reform and ethnic chapters. Friday's resolution retained only the primary tasks of the mission.
Security Council renews mandate of UN Verification Mission in Colombia
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said that Tehran currently has no plans to meet with U.S. officials, while consultations with Qatari and Pakistani mediators continue over Iran's conditions for resolving the crisis, Qatar's Al Jazeera reported Saturday.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Araghchi dismissed reports of possible meetings as media speculation, saying Iran saw no need to meet with American officials at present.
He said Tehran would decide whether to hold direct or indirect negotiations after Washington accepted Iran's conditions.
Araghchi said an Iranian delegation had traveled to Qatar for further discussions, adding that his aide was there to continue consultations with mediators.
According to Araghchi, Iran's conditions include recognition of a new shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz that Tehran had worked out with Oman, and the closure of other routes.
He said Tehran also sought the lifting of sanctions imposed after the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), a reduction in U.S. military forces in the region, the restoration of sanctions waivers for Iranian oil exports, and the release of all frozen Iranian funds, including those held in Qatar.
Iran also demanded an end to hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon, he said.
Araghchi said mediators had presented proposals concerning Iran's nuclear program, which Tehran was reviewing as part of what he described as a second phase.
The Iranian foreign minister also said a letter from U.S. Vice President JD Vance had been reviewed at high-level meetings, describing the American effort to open the door to broader dialogue and understanding as a "positive step."
On Feb 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and other Iranian cities. Iran responded with waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and U.S. bases and assets in the region, and tightened its grip on the Strait of Hormuz.
A ceasefire was achieved between the warring parties on April 8. On June 18, Iran and the United States signed the MoU on ending the war in the region on all fronts.
Under the MoU, the two countries were scheduled to hold negotiations within 60 days, ending on Aug 17, to reach a final agreement on Iran's nuclear program and the removal of sanctions. However, they failed to make sufficient progress toward a deal.
Iran says no plans to meet U.S. officials, consultations with mediators continue
Iran says no plans to meet U.S. officials, consultations with mediators continue
