The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's noon briefing by Fred Eckhard, Spokesman for the Secretary-General.
**Notes from Sudan: Special Envoy says Recent Bombings Underscore Need for Peace
On the Sudan: Today in Nairobi, the Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Humanitarian Affairs in the Sudan, Tom Vraalsen, said that recent bombings in southern Sudan underscored the need for a negotiated peace settlement in that country.
He urged the parties to redouble their efforts to seek a political solution, and said, "Any act of war which causes injury or loss of life to innocent civilians, which leads to people having to move away from where they live, losing their livelihoods, leading to internally displaced people, causing damage to property and so on, is totally unacceptable. It must stop."
Mr. Vraalsen visited Sudan earlier this week, where he met with Sudanese officials, and he has also been talking with non-governmental organization (NGO) representatives and other humanitarian officials who participate in Operation Lifeline Sudan.
On Tuesday, there were two aerial bombing incidents reported in southern Sudan, and Operation Lifeline Sudan confirmed that 14 bombs were dropped on Ikotos and three on Paluer. Some buildings were destroyed in the bombing of Ikotos and some bombs fell near the compound of one NGO, the Norwegian Church Aid, that is affiliated with Operation Lifeline Sudan. No casualties were reported, however.
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