UN offers assistance for Los Angeles wildfires; briefing also covered Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Libya, DPRK, Ukraine and UN budget dues

The United Nations spokesperson said the secretary-general expressed shock and sadness at the widespread devastation caused by wildfires in Los Angeles, extended condolences to families of the dead and offered UN assistance to the United States if needed.

The briefing noted other developments: the secretary-general congratulated Joseph Aoun on taking office as president of the Republic of Lebanon and urged swift formation of a new government to address Lebanon’s political impasse, according to remarks reported by the spokesperson. The briefing described this as “a critical step towards overcoming Lebanon’s political and institutional impasse.”

On Syria, the spokesperson summarized humanitarian concerns including damage to infrastructure, nonoperational dams and widespread needs for water, electricity and medical supplies. The briefing said nearly 15,000,000 people require humanitarian health support and close to 13,000,000 people are facing acute food insecurity in Syria.

On Yemen the special envoy’s recent visit to Sana’a was described as seeking de-escalation and urging the release of detained UN, NGO and diplomatic personnel. The spokesperson said 16 UN colleagues remain detained and their whereabouts and status are unknown.

On Libya, the briefing said the UN political mission has begun work on an inclusive intra-Libyan multi-track political process with consultations that included women’s and youth groups.

The assistant secretary-general for political and peacebuilding affairs briefed council members on nonproliferation concerns after a ballistic missile launch by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on Jan. 6, described at the briefing as “of serious concern.”

The briefing also reported that UN humanitarian coordinators condemned a deadly attack in Zaporizhzhia city that reportedly struck vehicles, a tram and an industrial facility; authorities reported dozens of casualties.

Separately, the spokesperson noted that assessment letters for the UN regular budget for 2025 have been sent to member states following approval of a budget of 3,720,000,000 U.S. dollars. The briefing thanked Equatorial Guinea, Kazakhstan, Papua New Guinea, Senegal and Kuwait for responding to the assessment letters and invited remaining member states to pay by Feb. 6 to be included in the “honour roll.” The spokesperson used a lighthearted aside in the briefing, repeating the word “Money” to underline fundraising needs.

At the end of the public part of the briefing the spokesperson took questions from reporters on crossings into Gaza and on travel by senior UN officials to Cyprus; the briefing said meetings with Greek Cypriot negotiators had occurred and that travel dates would be announced when ready.