United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Derek Plumbly Statement following Meeting with Prime Minister Najib Mikati
UNITED NATIONS NATIONS UNIES
Office of the Special Coordinator for Lebanon
(Delivered in Arabic)
Beirut, Lebanon
Monday, 08 October 2012
I just had a good meeting with Prime Minister Najib Mikati. We exchanged views on the latest developments in Lebanon and the region.
We discussed two areas in particular where the United Nations and the government of Lebanon are close partners. The first is security. The Prime Minister updated me on the government's latest plans for support for the army, which we welcome. I informed the Prime Minister that the Secretary General's next report on the implementation of Security Council resolution 1701 will issue at the end of the month. We both welcomed the calm which has held along the Blue Line, and which must continue.
The other area of cooperation which we discussed was that of support for the Syrian refugees in Lebanon. The coordination between the government, the United Nations and non-governmental organisations in addressing the needs of the refugees is close. But the numbers continue to grow and winter is approaching. Against that background the government has been reviewing its arrangements and plans, which again we warmly welcome. For its part United Nations recently launched an updated financial appeal to address the growing needs of the refugees and host communities in Lebanon.
We are of course deeply concerned at the extent of the current violence in Syria. Lebanon is honouring its humanitarian obligations and winning great credit thereby. The United Nations has been clear in its condemnation of the recurrent violations of the country's borders. We have been equally clear in our support for the efforts of the President, the Prime Minister and the country's leaders collectively to distance Lebanon from the worst effects of the crisis. Against the backdrop of recent events I would like to take this opportunity to underline again the need for all concerned to commit to this and to give absolute priority to keeping Lebanon safe.
QUESTION: Mr. Plumbly, are you confident the Lebanese Government will be able to hold elections in the coming period in light of what is happening in the region?
Special Coordinator Derek Plumbly: We are following closely the discussions in Parliament. In my view, it is very important that the elections take place on time. Lebanon is a country with a long democratic history and the present period is one of spread of democracy across the Arab world. I am confident elections here will take place on time.
Office of the Special Coordinator for Lebanon
(Delivered in Arabic)
Beirut, Lebanon
Monday, 08 October 2012
I just had a good meeting with Prime Minister Najib Mikati. We exchanged views on the latest developments in Lebanon and the region.
We discussed two areas in particular where the United Nations and the government of Lebanon are close partners. The first is security. The Prime Minister updated me on the government's latest plans for support for the army, which we welcome. I informed the Prime Minister that the Secretary General's next report on the implementation of Security Council resolution 1701 will issue at the end of the month. We both welcomed the calm which has held along the Blue Line, and which must continue.
The other area of cooperation which we discussed was that of support for the Syrian refugees in Lebanon. The coordination between the government, the United Nations and non-governmental organisations in addressing the needs of the refugees is close. But the numbers continue to grow and winter is approaching. Against that background the government has been reviewing its arrangements and plans, which again we warmly welcome. For its part United Nations recently launched an updated financial appeal to address the growing needs of the refugees and host communities in Lebanon.
We are of course deeply concerned at the extent of the current violence in Syria. Lebanon is honouring its humanitarian obligations and winning great credit thereby. The United Nations has been clear in its condemnation of the recurrent violations of the country's borders. We have been equally clear in our support for the efforts of the President, the Prime Minister and the country's leaders collectively to distance Lebanon from the worst effects of the crisis. Against the backdrop of recent events I would like to take this opportunity to underline again the need for all concerned to commit to this and to give absolute priority to keeping Lebanon safe.
QUESTION: Mr. Plumbly, are you confident the Lebanese Government will be able to hold elections in the coming period in light of what is happening in the region?
Special Coordinator Derek Plumbly: We are following closely the discussions in Parliament. In my view, it is very important that the elections take place on time. Lebanon is a country with a long democratic history and the present period is one of spread of democracy across the Arab world. I am confident elections here will take place on time.
posted by DELTA BLOG at 11:29 AM
<< Home