Statement / by the President of the Security Council

Statement [made on behalf of the Security Council, at the 5603rd meeting, 20 Dec. 2006, in connection with the Council's consideration of the item entitled "The situation in the Great Lakes region"]

Welcomes the decision to establish a Regional Follow-up Mechanism, to include a Conference Secretariat, as well as the decision to establish the Offices of the Conference Secretariat in Bujumbura, Burundi; supports the request of the regional inter-ministerial Committee to extend the mandate of the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for a final period of 3 months, until 31 Mar. 2007, with a view to ensuring regional ownership of the follow-up mechanism and completing successfully the transition to the Conference Secretariat; appeals to the countries of the Region, Group of Friends, UN agencies, funds and programmes, and the International Community to consider providing assistance to the Conference Secretariat and the Special Fund for Reconstruction and Development in the Great Lakes Region to support implementation by the parties of the Pact on Security, Stability and Development in the Great Lakes Region.

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