UN ENVOY DISCUSSES RECENT DEVELOPMENTS WITH LEBANESE PREMIER

New York, Sep 23 2010 The United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon today discussed the recent tensions in the country with Prime Minister Saad Hariri, applauding the premier for promoting dialogue as the best way to resolve differences.
“I commended the Prime Minister for his principled stand in favour of continued unity and dialogue and his firm opposition to the division and polarization that has characterized Lebanon in previous periods,” Michael Williams told reporters after his meeting with Mr. Hariri.
“Dialogue is the best means of addressing any sensitive issue in Lebanon or in any other country in the world,” he added.
Tensions had escalated in recent weeks following armed clashes in late August between Shi’a and Sunni Muslim groups in the capital, Beirut.
Mr. Williams said he concurred with the Prime Minister that all Lebanese should focus on safeguarding the institutions of the State, which he said are the pillars of stability in any country.
“Lebanon can only be strong through strong State institutions and all Lebanese should unite behind this goal,” he stated.
The two men also discussed the implementation of resolution 1701, which ended the conflict between Israel and Hizbollah that erupted in 2006.