Thursday, July 29, 2010

UN envoy meets with Lebanese political party leader

29 July 2010 – The calm that has returned to southern Lebanon following recent violence was among the topics discussed in today’s meeting between a senior United Nations official and the head of one of the country’s political parties.
In recent weeks, personnel from the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) have been the target of protests and attacks by villagers in the south in response to routine military exercises carried out by the mission.

Michael Williams, UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, said that he expressed “our satisfaction that calm has been restored” during his talks today with Samir Geagea, head of the Lebanese Forces party.

“But everyone has to work very hard to maintain that stability and that is absolutely vital now and in the coming weeks and months,” the UN official told reporters following his meeting with Dr. Geagea.

Mr. Williams said he briefed the Lebanese politician on the latest Security Council meeting on resolution 1701, which ended the conflict between Israel and Hizbollah that erupted in 2006, as well as calls for respect for the so-called Blue Line separating the Israeli and Lebanese sides, the disarming of all militias operating in Lebanon and an end to arms smuggling in the area.

During the Council meeting earlier this month, the envoy said that while the resolution has helped to ensure stability, the parties must do more to meet their commitments.

“Stated commitment is good, implementation in practice is better,” he told journalists following that meeting.

In his talks with Dr. Geagea today, Mr. Williams said that he welcomed President Michel Sleiman’s meetings with all key domestic players in the past two weeks.

“I also take this opportunity to welcome the intensive regional diplomacy involving key Arab parties to help defuse the tensions of recent days,” the UN official said.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Talks between UN envoy and former Lebanese leader focus on regional stability

27 July 2010 – Regional stability and the Security Council resolution that ended the war between Israel and Hizbollah topped today’s talks between a United Nations envoy and former Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora.
Michael Williams, UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, briefed Mr. Siniora this morning of a Council meeting earlier this month on resolution 1701.

That resolution, Mr. Williams told the Council, has helped to ensure stability, but the parties must do more to meet their commitments.

“Stated commitment is good, implementation in practice is better,” he told reporters following his closed-door briefing to the Council.

The envoy said after the Council meeting that he welcomed the continued commitment of all parties to the full implementation of resolution 1701, which ended the conflict that erupted in 2006, as well as calls for respect for the so-called Blue Line separating the Israeli and Lebanese sides, the disarming of all militias operating in Lebanon and an end to arms smuggling in the area.

“But I also told the Council that all parties must do far more to meet their obligations,” he said, echoing Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s latest report on the implementation of resolution 1701, which says that a number of violations occurred during the past several months and that “no progress was recorded with regard to key obligations” under the resolution.

Also discussed between Mr. Williams and Mr. Siniora today was the deployment of another Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) brigade in south Lebanon, which the UN official said “is very welcome given the recent tensions.”

UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) personnel have recently been the target of protests and attacks by villagers in southern Lebanon in response to routine military exercises carried out by the mission.

Both Mr. Williams and the Council have called for ensuring the safety and freedom of movement of the peacekeepers in their area of operations, which is critical for discharging their mandate.

“We also reflected on regional efforts to try to help Lebanon and particularly to maintain stability throughout the country,” the Special Coordinator said of his meeting with Mr. Siniora today.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

FOUR YEARS AFTER END OF ISRAEL-HIZBOLLAH WAR, MORE PROGRESS NEEDED – UN ENVOY

New York, Jul 14 2010 4:10PM
The Security Council resolution that ended the war that broke out between Israel and the Lebanese group Hizbollah four years ago this week has helped to ensure stability, but the parties must do more to meet their commitments, a senior United Nations official said today.

“Stated commitment is good, implementation in practice is better,” UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Michael Williams told reporters following his closed-door briefing to the Council.

He said he welcomed the continued commitment of all parties to the full implementation of resolution 1701, which ended the conflict that erupted in 2006, as well as calls for respect for the so-called Blue Line separating the Israeli and Lebanese sides, the disarming of all militias operating in Lebanon and an end to arms smuggling in the area.

“But I also told the Council that all parties must do far more to meet their obligations,” he said, echoing what Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon wrote in his latest report on the implementation of resolution 1701, which was made public yesterday.

In his report, Mr. Ban stated that a number of violations occurred during the past several months and that “no progress was recorded with regard to key obligations” under the resolution.

The Secretary-General stressed that it is the responsibility of the parties to focus on all outstanding issues so that they can reach a permanent ceasefire and a long-term solution, as envisaged in the resolution. “At the moment, they are not doing enough in this regard,” he said.

Mr. Williams, who briefed the 15-member body on the report, noted that the arrangements put in place by the resolution have allowed the longest period of stability between the parties since the 1970s.

“No one on either side of the Blue Line has been killed by hostile military action from the other side in the past four years.”

He added that the presence of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon UNIFIL and its cooperation with the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) has been the “backbone” of everything that has been achieved under (2006)" resolution 1701.

UNIFIL personnel have recently been the target of protests and attacks by villagers in southern Lebanon in response to routine military exercises carried out by the mission. Both the Special Coordinator and the Council have called for ensuring the safety and freedom of movement of the peacekeepers in their area of operations, which is critical for discharging their mandate.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

New UN report cites lack of progress by Israel and Lebanon on key obligations

13 July 2010 – While Israel and Lebanon have enjoyed the longest period of stability in their recent history, not enough progress has been made on key obligations under the Security Council resolution that ended the hostilities of 2006, according to a new United Nations report released today.
In addition to bringing to a close the conflict that took place between Israel and the Lebanese group Hizbollah four years ago, resolution 1701 also calls for respect for the so-called Blue Line separating the Israeli and Lebanese sides, the disarming of all militias operating in Lebanon and an end to arms smuggling in the area.

“Although the parties remained committed to the full implementation of resolution 1701 (2006), a number of violations occurred and no progress was recorded with regard to key obligations under the resolution,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon writes in his latest report on the issue.

He voices concern about ongoing air violations committed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) through almost daily overflights of Lebanese territory, as well as ground violations of the Blue Line that have occurred in recent months.

“The inherent risk of escalating the security situation that these incidents carry cannot be overstated,” he warns.

In addition, he stresses that Israel must withdraw its forces from the northern part of the village of Ghajar and an adjacent area north of the Blue Line, in accordance with the resolution, and urges the Israeli Government to expedite the withdrawal of the IDF from the area without further delay.

He adds that amid allegations of continued arms transfers to Hizbollah, in violation of the resolution, “a perceptible increase in tension between the parties was recorded during the reporting period,” which covers developments since his February report.

“That raised the spectre of a miscalculation by either party leading to a resumption of hostilities, with potentially devastating consequences for Lebanon and the region,” he says.

This tension, he writes, once again illustrates the importance of control by Lebanon over its borders and of respect by all Member States for the prohibition against the transfer of arms and related materiel to entities or individuals in Lebanon without the consent of the Lebanese State, which are key elements of resolution 1701.

The report notes that the UN regularly receives reports and specific allegations that Hizbollah maintains “a vast arsenal and a significant military capacity,” but it does not have the means to verify this information independently.

The presence of armed groups in Lebanon operating beyond the control of the State is also a concern, Mr. Ban says, as they challenge the ability of the State to exercise its full sovereignty and control over its territory.

“I continue to believe that the disarmament of armed groups should be carried out through a Lebanese-led political process that would result in bringing all arms under the control of the State.”

The Secretary-General stresses that it is the responsibility of the parties to focus on all outstanding issues so that they can reach a permanent ceasefire and a long-term solution, as envisaged in resolution 1701.

“At the moment, they are not doing enough in this regard,” he writes.

Noting that the partnership between the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) is critical to the implementation of the resolution, Mr. Ban calls for increased support for the LAF.

He also calls for ensuring the full freedom of movement for UNIFIL within its area of operations, while voicing concern about recent incidents impeding the work of the Force.

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Lebanon: Security Council calls for freedom of movement of UN peacekeepers.

9 July 2010 – Strongly deploring recent incidents directed at United Nations blue helmets in Lebanon, the Security Council today called for ensuring the safety and freedom of movement of the peacekeepers serving there.
Members of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) have recently been the target of protests and attacks by villagers in the south of the country in response to routine military exercises carried out by the mission.
“The members of the Security Council strongly deplore the recent incidents involving UNIFIL peacekeepers which took place in southern Lebanon on June 29th, July 3rd and July 4th in the UNIFIL area of operation,” Ambassador U. Joy Ogwu of Nigeria, which holds the Council’s rotating presidency for July, said in a statement read out to the press following closed-door talks.
They also emphasized the importance of not impairing UNIFIL’s ability to fulfil its mandate under Security Council resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war between Israel and Hizbollah.

The resolution also calls for respect of the so-called Blue Line separating the Israeli and Lebanese sides, the disarming of all militias operating in Lebanon and an end to arms smuggling in the area.

“They call on all parties to ensure that the freedom of movement of UNIFIL remains respected in conformity with its mandate and its rules of engagement,” the statement added.

In addition to monitoring the 2006 ceasefire between Israel and Hizbollah, UNIFIL is also tasked with accompanying and supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) as they deploy throughout the south, and extending its assistance to help ensure humanitarian access to civilian populations and the voluntary and safe return of displaced persons.

Also today, Michael Williams, the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, discussed the recent incidents involving UNIFIL with Lebanese Foreign Minister Ali Shami.

“We all hope that the situation has now calmed down and that there will be no recurrence of such incidents,” he in a statement following the meeting in Beirut.

Mr. Williams asserted that UNIFIL’s freedom of movement is a critical element for it to discharge its mandate and it must be fully respected.

“I think that we all agree that the excellent cooperation between UNIFIL and LAF has been the backbone of the stability that has prevailed in the south, and we must do all we can to maintain and to enhance it,” he added.

Thursday, July 08, 2010

UN URGES LEBANESE TO ENGAGE IN DIALOGUE TO RESOLVE TENSIONS WITH PEACEKEEPERS

The head of the United Nations force in southern Lebanon has called on the local population to engage in dialogue with his peacekeepers to resolve any issues concerning recent military activities carried in the area, which have led to a number of confrontations.

“We are fully aware of the problems military operations in civilian areas may cause to the people,” Major General Alberto Asarta Cuevas, the Force Commander of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), stated in an open letter to the people living in the country’s south.

Last week, villagers reportedly staged numerous protests against the Force as it carried out its maximum deployment exercise, a routine activity to ensure the readiness of its troops on the ground.

The UN has stated that particular care is taken to minimize disturbance or inconvenience to the local population during the exercise, and the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) are fully informed of the activity, its nature and purpose.

Major General Asarta Cuevas said that while UNIFIL takes all possible measures to mitigate any inconveniences to residents, problems may arise.

“The way to deal with those problems is to discuss them directly with UNIFIL, as we have always done in order to find amicable solutions, not by obstructing the work of peacekeepers or by beating them,” he wrote.

UNIFIL is tasked with, among other things, monitoring the 2006 ceasefire between Israel and Hizbollah; accompanying and supporting the LAF as they deploy throughout the south; and extending its assistance to help ensure humanitarian access to civilian populations and the voluntary and safe return of displaced persons.

The Force Commander noted that while these activities may sometimes cause some disturbances, there will never be any “hidden agenda” behind them.

“Our presence in Lebanon … has no other purpose than helping you to live in peace, contributing with all our means to your protection and the stability of the area,” he said.
UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Michael Williams has insisted that the freedom of movement of UNIFIL be ensured, pointing out that its exercise was carried out as part of its normal operations and with full respect of its mandate.

During their meeting in Beirut yesterday, Mr. Williams and Lebanese Defence Minister Elias Murr agreed that the excellent cooperation between UNIFIL and LAF over the past four years has been the backbone of the stability that has prevailed in south Lebanon.

“This cooperation, we believe, must be maintained and enhanced,” said Mr. Williams.

Wednesday, July 07, 2010

UN MISSION CHAIRS TALKS WITH LEBANESE, ISRAELI MILITARY OFFICIALS‏

New York, Jul 7 2010 3:10PM
The head of the United Nations peacekeeping operation in Lebanon today chaired a tripartite meeting bringing together senior officials from the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and the Israeli Defense Force (IDF).

The gathering was chaired by Major-General Alberto Asarta Cuevas, Force Commander of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon UNIFIL.

Participants conferred on all issues relevant to the implementation of Security Council resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 conflict between Israel and Hizbollah, including the situation along the Blue Line and its ongoing visible marking.

Also discussed was the question of the village of Ghajar, whose northern section Israel continues to occupy, in contravention of the resolution.
In a report issued in February, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon cautioned that the situation in the region remains fragile, while adding that he is “pleased” by the parties’ continued commitment to resolution 1701.

“The continued respect of the cessation of hostilities by Israel and Lebanon has provided for the most stable period in the relationship between the two countries for decades.”

But he warned that the fragility of the situation is exacerbated by ever more strident rhetoric, “which raises tensions and should be avoided,” as well as being in contravention of the spirit of the resolution.

The resolution’s implementation also topped today’s talks between UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Michael Williams and the country’s Defence Minister, Elias Murr, in the capital, Beirut.

The two men discussed recent events in south Lebanon, especially those involving the residents of some of the area’s villages and UNIFIL patrols.

They also agreed “that the excellent cooperation between UNIFIL and LAF over the past four years has been the backbone of the stability that has prevailed in south Lebanon,” Mr. Williams said. “This cooperation, we believe, must be maintained and enhanced.”

In recent weeks, protests have been directed at blue helmets, and the UN official today reiterated the crucial role played by the world body’s mission in the area, stressing the need for freedom of movement of UNIFIL to support the LAF.

“This, in turn, serves the interests of Lebanon and the stability of the wider region,” Mr. Williams told reporters after his meeting with the Lebanese Minister.

Friday, July 02, 2010

FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT FOR PEACEKEEPERS IN LEBANON MUST BE ENSURED, SAYS UN ENVOY‏

New York, Jul 2 2010 2:10PMThe freedom of movement of United Nations peacekeepers serving in south Lebanon must be fully respected, the world body’s top official in the country said today, voicing concern at recent incidents involving protests directed at blue helmets.
Earlier this week villagers reportedly staged numerous protests against the UN Interim Force in Lebanon UNIFIL during a maximum deployment exercise carried out by the mission, which is tasked with monitoring a ceasefire between Israel and Hizbollah.
UNIFIL regularly carries out such exercises to ensure the readiness of its troops on the ground. The UN has noted that particular care is taken to minimize disturbance or inconvenience to the local population during the operation, and the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) are fully informed of the activity, its nature and purpose.
“UNIFIL’s freedom of movement was violated and UN troop-contributing countries are quite concerned,” Michael Williams, the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, said in a statement following his meeting in Beirut with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.
“We must insist that the freedom of movement of UNIFIL is fully respected,” he said. “UNIFIL’s exercise in the area was carried out as part of its normal operations and with full respect of its mandate, and indeed the LAF assisted UNIFIL in defusing tensions.”
Mr. Williams added that he and Mr. Berri agreed on the need to work hard to prevent any recurrence of the problems of the past week and that all parties must be involved in trying to defuse these tensions.
The two men also discussed the implementation of Security Council resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 conflict between Israel and Hizbollah. It also calls for respect of the so-called Blue Line separating the Israeli and Lebanese sides, the disarming of all militias operating in Lebanon and an end to arms smuggling in the area.
The Special Coordinator noted that UNIFIL’s presence and deployment in the south and its close work and coordination with the LAF “provide the backbone for the implementation of resolution 1701 in a way that serves the interests of Lebanon and the stability of the entire region.”
UN spokesperson Farhan Haq told reporters on Wednesday that UNIFIL is making every effort to talk to the communities and explain to them the nature and purpose of the activity to clear up any misunderstandings they may have. The enhanced deployment operations concluded on 30 June.