Saturday, April 22, 2017

UNIFIL: CONTACTS UNDERWAY WITH LAF OVER REPORTS ON PRESENCE OF ARMED INDIVIDUALS DURING HEZBOLLAH'S BLUE LINE MEDIA TOUR

Fri 21 Apr 2017
NNA - The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon said, in a statement on Friday, that contacts were underway with the Lebanese army following news reports claiming the presence of armed individuals during the media tour organized by Hezbollah along the Blue Line yesterday. 
"Shortly before the media delegation reached the area yesterday morning, the Lebanese army notified the UNIFIL of a media tour along the Blue Line, without mentioning any other detail," the UNIFIL said. 
"As to reports speaking of the presence of armed individuals among the delegation, the UNIFIL reminds that this would be a breach of resolution 1701; and as per the resolution, the Lebanese authorities bear the main responsibility to verify the presence of unauthorized armed individuals in the area between the Blue Line and Litani River," the statement read. 
"Following those reporters, the UNIFIL is holding contacts with the Lebanese Armed Forces to determine the circumstances of what happened," it concluded. 

Friday, April 21, 2017

PRIME MINISTER HARIRI VISITS UNIFIL HEADQUARTERS

21 Apr 2017 - Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad Hariri today paid his first visit to the headquarters of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), as part of his tour of the UNIFIL area of operations in southern Lebanon.

UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Michael Beary received the Prime Minister and his delegation comprising Defense Minister Yaacoub Sarraf, Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) General Joseph Aoun, and a number of senior LAF officers and government officials.

In his briefing to the high-level government delegation, Major General Beary expressed his deep appreciation for the excellent cooperation accorded by the Government of Lebanon and LAF in the fulfilment of UNIFIL's mandate in accordance with the UN Security Council resolution 1701.

The UNIFIL head also said that the cooperation between UNIFIL and LAF has been crucial for preserving stability along the Blue Line for more than 10 years.

The Prime Minister lauded UNIFIL's commitment and role working together with the LAF to maintain stability along the Blue Line. "I am here today to reaffirm my Government's commitment, with all its components, to Security Council Resolution 1701," he said.

He added: "I urge the UN Secretary-General to support efforts to secure, as soon as possible, a state of permanent ceasefire. This is long overdue, and my Government is committed to move this agenda forward."

He further requested the UN Secretary-General's good offices for the delineation of Lebanon's international borders especially in those areas where the border is disputed or uncertain. 

Major General Beary commended Prime Minister Hariri for reaffirming Lebanon's commitment to resolution 1701 and a permanent ceasefire.

"UNIFIL has been here for too many years," said the UNIFIL head. "We really need to get to a point where we are discussing permanent ceasefire and make sure that that term enters into the lexicon here and we move on to a real settlement."


Tuesday, April 18, 2017

INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT GROUP (ISG) FOR LEBANON: TO INTENSIFIE EFFORTS, CARRY OUT FREE ELECTIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH CONSTITUTION

Tue 18 Apr 2017
NNA - The members of the ISG take note of the decision of President Michel Aoun of 12 April to adjourn the chamber for one month. They also take note of Speaker Nabih Berri's announcement to convene the next session on 15 May. 
In the spirit of sustaining progress, the ISG members encourage Lebanon's leaders to make maximum use of the resulting time frame to intensify their efforts to arrive at an agreed electoral framework for free and fair elections, in accordance with the Constitution. 
The ISG members stress once more the importance of timely elections to preserve Lebanon's democratic process and call upon Lebanon's leaders to reach an agreement as soon as possible through political consultations. 
It is worth to note that the International Support Group has brought together the governments of China, France, Germany, Italy, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States, together with the European Union and the Arab League. 
It was launched in September 2013 by the UN Secretary-General with President Sleiman to help mobilize support and assistance for Lebanon's stability, sovereignty and state institutions and to specifically encourage assistance for the Lebanese Army, Syrian refugees in Lebanon and host communities and government programs and public services impacted by the Syrian crisis. 

Monday, April 03, 2017

SECURITY COUNCIL STATEMENT ON LEBANON AND RESOLUTION 1701

17 Mar2017

SECURITY COUNCIL STATEMENT ON LEBANON AND RESOLUTION 1701

Statement Delivered by Security Council President, Matthew Rycroft (United Kingdom) at the press stakeout on behalf of the Security Council following Security Council session on Lebanon and implementation of resolution 1701

Friday, 17 March 2017

The members of the Security Council welcomed the political and institutional progress that Lebanon has achieved since the election of a President and nomination of a Prime Minister. The resumption of regular cabinet meetings and parliamentary legislative sessions are encouraging signs that Lebanon's institutions of State are again functioning effectively. The members of the Security Council urged all Lebanese political forces to continue national dialogue in order to solve all problems.

In the spirit of sustaining this institutional progress, the members of the Security Council stressed that the timely conduct of peaceful and transparent parliamentary elections in accordance with the Constitution, and reflecting the country's democratic traditions, will be critical for Lebanon's stability and resilience to withstand regional challenges. The members of the Security Council underlined that the political progress to date also represents an opportunity to continue strengthening and extending the authority of the Lebanese State.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed their strong support for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence of Lebanon. They expressed support for Resolutions 1701, 1680 and 1559. They recalled that it is essential to continue to demonstrate genuine commitment and adherence to Resolution 1701 and other relevant resolutions.

Finally the members of Security Council urged all parties to make every effort to ensure that the cessation of hostilities is sustained, exercise maximum calm and restraint and refrain from any action or rhetoric that could jeopardize the cessation of hostilities or destabilize the region.

The members of the Security Council stressed the crucial role of the Lebanese Armed Forces and encouraged to international community to continue their support to the LAF's capabilities, stretched by multiple challenges. In this context the members of the Security Council welcomed the appointment of General Joseph Aoun.

The members of the Security Council reiterated their strong support to the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon and encouraged the International Support Group for Lebanon to remain mobilized in support of Lebanon's political and socio-economic stability.