Tuesday, February 22, 2011

LEBANON: PRIME MINISTER-DESIGNATE BRIEFS UN ENVOY ON EFFORTS TO FORM NEW GOVERNMENT

New York, Feb 22 2011
The United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon met today with Prime Minister-designate Najib Miqati, who briefed him on his continuing efforts concerning the formation of a new government.

Michael Williams said he reiterated to Mr. Miqati the hope that whatever government he forms will meet the aspirations of all Lebanese.

“As events in the Arab world have shown, dialogue among all sides in the country is the only way to resolve differences but also to move forward with any country’s political, social and economic needs,” Mr. Williams said in a statement following his meeting.

Lebanon’s previous government, led by Saad Hariri, collapsed in January after 11 Hizbollah and allied ministers resigned, reportedly over the Government’s refusal to cease cooperation with the UN-backed special tribunal set up to try suspects in the 2005 murders of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri and 22 others. The court was reportedly about to indict Hizbollah members for the murders.

At the end of January, Lebanese President Michel Sleiman asked Mr. Mikati, who has Hizbollah support according to media reports, to form the new Government.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has stated that any new Government in Lebanon should continue to cooperate with the tribunal.

During their meeting, Mr. Williams also briefed Mr. Mikati on Security Council resolution 1701, which ended a month-long war between Israel and Hizbollah in 2006. It also calls for respect for the Blue Line separating Israel and Lebanon, the disarming of all militias in Lebanon, and an end to arms smuggling in the area.

“I reiterated the expectation of the United Nations that the Lebanese Government will continue to abide by the requirements of 1701 and all of Lebanon’s international obligations,” said Mr. Williams, who also met today with Member of Parliament Fuad Siniora to discuss the latest developments in Lebanon and the region.

Monday, February 14, 2011

UN reaffirms support for Lebanon tribunal on 6th anniversary of ex-premier’s death.

14 February 2011 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today marked the 6th anniversary of the murder of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri by stressing United Nations support for the court set up to uncover the truth despite the reported attempts by Hizbollah to close it down.

“The Secretary-General reaffirms the commitment of the United Nations to the efforts of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon to uncover the truth so as to bring those responsible to justice and send a message that impunity will not be tolerated,” a statement issued by his spokesman said.

Lebanon’s previous government, led by Mr. Hariri’s son, Saad, collapsed in January after 11 Hizbollah and allied ministers resigned, reportedly over the Government’s refusal to cease cooperation with the tribunal, which the media says was about to indict Hizbollah members for the murders.

At the end of last month, Mr. Ban called on the newly designated Government led by Najib Mikati to continue to cooperate with the Tribunal, set up following a probe by the International Independent Investigation Commission after an earlier UN mission found that Lebanon’s own inquiry into the massive car bombing that killed Mr. Hariri and 22 others was seriously flawed.

The Commission also found that Syria was primarily responsible for the political tensions that preceded the attack. The court received its first indictment in January, but the contents remain confidential at this stage.

Today’s statement said Mr. Ban “stands with the people of Lebanon in commemorating the life and achievements of Mr. Hariri and renews his condolences to the families of the victims of this crime.” He also called for the full implementation of all Security Council resolutions pertaining to Lebanon.

These include resolution 1701, which ended a month-long war between Israel and the Hizbollah militia in 2006. It calls for respect for the Blue Line separating Israel and Lebanon, the disarming of all militias in Lebanon, which would include Hizbollah, and an end to arms smuggling in the area. The UN has repeatedly condemned Israeli over-flights of Lebanese territory since then and, according to media reports, Hizbollah has received thousands of new missiles and other arms.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Breaking Middle East peace deadlock is vital, Ban tells Israeli Defence Minister.

10 February 2011 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak it was vital to break the current stalemate in peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians and make progress towards resolving all final status issues.
Meeting with Mr. Barak at United Nations Headquarters in New York, Mr. Ban called for full Israeli engagement with the UN and its partners in the Quartet – the European Union, Russia and the United States – which seeks a two-State solution to the Middle East conflict based on Israel and Palestine living side by side as sovereign nations in peace and security.
The Secretary-General took positive note of the recent Israel announcement of additional measures easing the blockade of Gaza and further steps in the West Bank, including a further transfer of security, his spokesman said.
He urged Mr. Barak to take further steps to ease the suffering in Gaza, where some 1.5 million Palestinians live under a blockade imposed by Israel over three years ago when Hamas, which rejects Israel’s right to exist, took power.
He also noted with appreciation Mr. Barak’s confirmation that preparations for the Israeli army’s withdrawal from northern Ghajar in Lebanon were on track.
The withdrawal is one of the terms of Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended a month-long war between Israel and the Hizbollah militia in 2006 and calls for respect for the Blue Line separating Israel and Lebanon, the disarming of all militias in Lebanon, and an end to arms smuggling in the area.