UN holds emergency meeting on Golan Heights situation; China prosecutes former Interpol president

UN holds urgent meeting on Golan Heights situation

Customers look at watches on display at the Baselworld Watch Fair in Basel, Switzerland on March 21. Photo: THX/TTXVN

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) will hold a meeting on March 27 (US time) to discuss Washington's decision to recognize the Golan Heights as part of Israeli territory.

French Ambassador to the UN Francois Delattre said that the meeting on extending the mandate of the UN Disengagement Observer Force in the Golan (UNDOF) will be moved from closed consultations to open discussions, in accordance with Syria's request. The UN Security Council is not expected to issue a statement on the US decision because such a document requires the consensus of all 15 members of the Security Council, including the US.

On March 27, the South Korean Foreign Ministry announced that Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha will meet with her US counterpart Mike Pompeo in Washington, DC, this weekend to discuss the North Korea issue.

According to the plan, during this meeting, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will review the situation on the Korean Peninsula and propose response measures. The two sides will also discuss bilateral cooperation and common concerns in the region and the world.

EU continues to extend patrols in the Mediterranean

The European Union (EU) will scale back the sea patrols of the EU Naval Force in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED) Operation Sofia, but will increase air patrols to combat migrant smuggling in the region.

Two European diplomats said that this was part of a compromise agreement between EU countries at a meeting held on March 27 in Brussels (Belgium) regarding the reception of migrants rescued in the Mediterranean. According to this agreement, the EU will extend Operation Sofia, which expires on March 31, for another six months.

Former Interpol President Meng Hongwei indicted for bribery

Former President of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) Meng Hongwei. Photo: AP/VNA

On March 27, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, the anti-corruption body of the Communist Party of China, announced that former Interpol President Meng Hongwei will be prosecuted for accepting bribes after an investigation found that he was suspected of accepting bribes and violating Party discipline. According to the commission, Meng Hongwei has been expelled from the Party.

Earlier, late last year, Mr. Meng Hongwei was also expelled from the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) - China's top political advisory body. The decision was made after the authorities announced the opening of an "investigation into suspected violations of the law" against the former Interpol President.

Pro-Thaksin Pheu Thai Party announces coalition

On the morning of March 27, representatives of political forces opposing the current government in Thailand, led by the Pheu Thai Party supporting former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, held a press conference at the Lancaster Hotel in Bangkok to announce the formation of a coalition to fight for the right to form a new government. The political parties joining the Pheu Thai Party's coalition include Pheu Chart, Future Forward, Seri Ruam Thai, Pracha Chart, and the Thai People's Power Party.

Speaking at a press conference, Ms. Sudarat Keyuraphan, leader of Pheu Thai, said that this alliance wants to form a multi-party government, with more than 255/500 seats in the House of Representatives and will call on other parties to join the alliance to lead the country.