Ban: ISIL one of biggest security threats facing world

DOHA, April 12 (KUNA) -- UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said ISIL was "one of the biggest security threats" facing the world and the international community should address conditions through which groups like ISIL were created and grew.
He said a High-level Themaic Debate on Promoting Tolerance and Reconciliation would be held in New York on April 21-22, aimed at fostering peaceful, inclusive societies and countering violent extremism.
At a joint news conference with Qatari Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah Al-Thani on sidelines of the 13th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, Ban said he would present later this year a full-fledged plan that would outline UN's action against violent extremism through good governance, rule of law, and involvement of women and youth.
Ban welcomed the recent liberation of the Iraqi city of Tikrit but said he was worried about reports of human rights violations and destruction of properties by pro-government militias.
He called on the Iraqi government to investigate the reported human rights violations.
Ban said the UN was backing the governments of Iraq and the Kurdistan region in expanding relief efforts.
On Yemen, Ban said he was concerned over the hostilities in the country and affirmed that he strongly rejected the Houthis' take over of power as "unacceptable." Ban said the number of civilian casualties was increasing, calling on all parties to return to the table of UN-brokered dialogue because it was the best way to end the conflict.
On Gaza, Ban said he was worried about tension in the strip and thanked Qatar for its contribution to help rebuild Gaza.
He urged all Palestinians to put their differences aside and that the Israelis should lift the siege on the Palestinians.
There is no solution for the Arab-Israeli conflict but through the establishment of an independent and viable Palestinian state, which is geographically linked, and living side-by-side with Israel, said Ban.
Commenting on the Iran nuclear deal, Ban said the recent framework agreement between Tehran and the P5+1 group was an important development and paved way for a comprehensive deal by June 30.
Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah said the 13th UN Congress was an important event because of the emergence of new crimes related to corruption, terrorism and transnational crimes which were threatening security and stability of societies.
Sheikh Abdullah said participants discussed how to enforce criminal justice.
He said the Doha Declaration of the Congress would contribute to crime prevention in future, while taking into consideration rule of law and human rights. (pickup previous) nnd.bs