News from the United Nations 25.2.08

To protest the Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip, approximately ten thousand protesters gathered on the Gaza border today.  The event was organized by Hamas, and although Israeli troops were ordered to open fire should the group attempt to cross the border, the event ended without incident.

Several unconfirmed reports of additional rockets lobbed at Israel have caused speculation of potential massive Israeli military action against Palestinian militants.

Haaretz is reporting that Israel might boycott the United Nations Durban II conference on human rights.

United Nations Joint Special Representative Rodolphe Adada has issued a statement on Darfur.  According to the report, UNAMID received news of aerial bombings in Western Darfur on the morning of February 24th.  The Sudanese government has assured UNAMID that civilians will be kept out of harm’s way.

Raul Castro, brother to former Cuba dictator Fidel, assumed power on Sunday.  He will be the country’s new president.  In a statement to the Cuban people, Raul assured the country that little would change.

In Turkey, violence between PKK fighters and Kurdish militants continued through the weekend.  Though the Iraqi government asked Turkey to withdraw, Turkish troop levels in Iraq are still estimated to be around ten thousand.