Update from United Nations Spokesperson's office on Obama Meeting and Sudan

The Secretary-General met with President Obama at the White House yesterday to discuss the growing world economic crisis. Both called for redoubled efforts to ensure food security and to guarantee economic recovery. Hundreds of millions of people in the developing world have already been impacted by the economic crisis. Both leaders also emphasized the need to strengthen civilian support in Afghanistan and to support reconstruction in Haiti. The Secretary-General said " we look forward to making this make or break year, into a year of solutions."  The Secretary-General also emphasized that the United States still owes 1 billion to the United Nations and asked for these funds so work on Gaza reconstruction and other global efforts could be achieved.

In Darfur, the African Union and UNAMID (African Union/United Nations Hybrid Mission in Sudan) reported a vehicle was hijacked and peaceful demonstrations by youth are taking place in the country to condemn the International Criminal Court arrest warrant issued for Al-Bashir, Sudan's leader. On the humanitarian front, as of 10th of March,  183 international staff have already left the country and there are increasing concerns about the safety of national and international staff. The government of Sudan has also confiscated dozens of supplies and equipment in retaliation for Al-Bashir's indictment. Many UN agencies have visited the camps and there are many reported health concerns including diarrhea and eye infections.

The United Republicans of Iran, a non profit advocacy group also issued a statement today against the Islamic Republic of Iran --which was among those nations objecting this verdict and dispatched Parliamentary representatives to Sudan to convey in person its opposition. They group stated:

"According to reports by various credible human rights organizations, violation of human rights in Darfur is beyond denial. So far, hundreds of thousands of residents of this region have been brutally murdered by armed groups supported by the government and millions more have become homeless and living in difficult conditions in various refugee camps. All attempts by international community to end the suffrage of these people have been blocked by the government of Sudan aided by china and dictator governments that are members of African Union."