Call for ceasefire in Libya & other topics - Daily Briefing (24 April 2019)

Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
-Sri Lanka
- Secretary-General's travels
- Libya
- Security Council
- Conference on International Security
- Bangladesh
- Cyclone Kenneth
- Immunization
- Diplomacy
- Afghanistan
- Saudi Arabia
- Technology
- Honour Roll

SRI LANKA
This morning, the Secretary-General spoke to President Maithripala Sirisena of Sri Lanka to express, directly, the United Nations’ total solidarity with the people and Government of Sri Lanka. 
The Secretary-General also offered the support of the UN’s Office of Counter Terrorism to the Government. 
Yesterday afternoon, the Secretary-General signed the condolence book at the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka here in New York.
SECRETARY-GENERAL’S TRAVELS
The Secretary-General will depart New York later today to travel to Beijing, China, to take part in the 2nd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.
On Friday, he will speak at the Forum’s opening ceremony.
On Saturday, the Secretary-General will deliver remarks and participate in a Leader’s Roundtable on “Promoting green and sustainable development to implement the 2030 Agenda.”
While in Beijing, he is expected to meet with President Xi Jinping, as well as the Premier of the State Council, Li Keqiang, and also the Foreign Minister and State Councilor, Wang Yi, other senior officials, and some leaders attending the Forum.
The Secretary-General will be back in New York on Saturday.
LIBYA
The United Nations welcomes the call made yesterday by the Presidents of the African Union (AU), the Troika – Egypt, Rwanda and South Africa – as well as the Chair of the AU High-level Committee on Libya – the President of the Republic of Congo – for an immediate ceasefire and the commitment expressed to intensify engagement towards a Libyan political solution facilitated by the United Nations. The Secretary-General and his Special Representative Ghassan Salame remain committed to continue their engagement with the African Union to find a lasting and peaceful solution to the Libyan crisis.
The UN remains concerned about the continued clashes in various areas in southern Tripoli and its impact on the humanitarian situation. We’re continuing to work with partners, to respond to the humanitarian impact of the clashes. The UN also continues to seek immediate humanitarian pauses to allow humanitarian access and allow civilians to depart from conflict areas. 
Our humanitarian colleagues on the ground say that efforts are underway to relocate hundreds of refugees and migrants from the Qasr Ben Ghashir detention center, which is in an area directly impacted by the ongoing clashes. This follows reports of violence at the centre yesterday, resulting in at least 12 people being injured, all of whom have since been transferred to medical facilities. 890 migrants and refugees were located at the detention centre where violence broke out yesterday.
Overall, 3,600 refugees and migrants were thought to be trapped in detention centers close to the frontlines. 
Narly 36,000 people have now fled conflict-affected areas in and around Tripoli, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The majority are staying with family and other private arrangements, while more than 2,200 people have been accommodated in 16 collective shelters set up by local authorities. An unconfirmed number of families remain stranded in conflict-affected areas.
Almost 23,000 people have received humanitarian assistance and services since the start of the current hostilities, despite considerable access and funding constraints.
Full Highlights: