UN Security Council Press Elements on Lebanon (Res. 1559), May 13, 2020

USG Rosemary Di Carlo briefed the Security Council on the situation in Lebanon and presented the last report of the Secretary General during the regular consultations on the implementation of resolution 1559 (2004).

The Members of the Security Council reaffirmed their strong support for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence of Lebanon, in accordance with relevant UNSC resolutions, and that the preservation of Lebanon's stability is essential to regional stability and security.

The Members of the Security Council underscored their previous calls on all Lebanese parties to recommit to Lebanon's policy of dissociation and to cease any involvement in any external conflict, consistent with their commitment in the Baabda declaration.

They recalled the importance of fully implementing UNSCR 1559, which require the disarmament of all armed groups in Lebanon so that there will be no weapons or authority in Lebanon other than those of the Lebanese State, and they recalled that the violations of the Lebanese sovereignty, by air and land, should immediately stop.

They also recalled that the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) are the only legitimate armed forces of Lebanon, as enshrined in the Lebanese constitution and in the Taif Agreement and encouraged the international community to continue its support to the LAF's capabilities.

The Members of the Security Council discussed the urgent need for the Lebanese authorities to respond to the aspirations of the Lebanese people by implementing meaningful economic reforms, and notably the commitments made in the framework of the CEDRE conference as well as at the International Support Group for Lebanon meeting held in Paris on the 11th of December. On the basis of those necessary reforms, the Members of the Security Council expressed support to Lebanon to help it exit the current crisis and to address the economic, security, humanitarian challenges , as well as the impact of COVID-19 facing the country, and called the international community, including international organizations, to do so. The Members of the Security Council took due note of the approval by the Government of Lebanon of an economic plan as well as of the commencement of negotiations between Lebanon and the IMF.

Statement of the International Support Group

Statement of the International Support Group

Beirut, 13 May 2020

The ISG takes due note of the unanimous adoption by the Government of Lebanon of its Financial Recovery Plan as a constructive framework for future reforms as well as its decision to request an IMF program as a first step in the right direction.

The ISG also takes due note of the assessment by the World Bank that the Plan recognizes the nature and depth of the crisis, the necessary structural reforms and adjustments needed to ensure a vibrant economy with sustainable growth and productive sectors, in a business climate and conditions favorable for private sector development and the prosperity of the Lebanese people.

Recognizing the importance of domestic political support necessary for successful conduct and rapid completion of negotiations with the IMF, the ISG encourages the Government of Lebanon to engage all relevant stakeholders, most importantly the Lebanese people in consultations on the contents of the plan and ways to expedite its implementation. 

Equally, the ISG encourages the Government and Parliament to work together in creating the necessary conditions for timely

implementation of the needed reforms and to ensure full transparency and accountability as demanded by the citizens of Lebanon. Recalling the statement of the International Support Group meeting in Paris on 11 December 2019 and on the basis of the necessary reforms, including the implementation of the commitments made in the framework of the CEDRE Conference, the ISG expresses support to Lebanon to help it overcome the current economic, monetary, and fiscal crisis and to address economic, social, security, humanitarian challenges, as well as the impact of COVID-19 facing the country, and calls upon the international community, including international organizations and financial institutions, to support Lebanon as it seeks to address the current crisis.

The ISG notes with concern the worsening economic situation, the growing poverty and the hardships on the population. It encourages the Government to remain committed to protect the rapidly growing number of poor and vulnerable segments of the population and encourages the Government to quickly finalize all necessary measures to unlock additional external financial assistance to address the increasingly dire humanitarian needs of the population.

The ISG reaffirms the need for internal stability and the right to peaceful protect to be protected.

The ISG welcomes the press elements from the Security Council following its meeting on 4 May 2020 on the implementation of Security Council resolution 1701 and reiterates its strong support for Lebanon and its people, for its stability, security, territorial integrity, sovereignty, political independence and non-interference into internal matters in accordance with Security Council resolutions 1701 (2006), 1680 (2006), and 1559 (2004).

Note to Editors

The International Support Group has brought together the United Nations and 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 former President Michel 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.

5 May2020

PRESS ELEMENTS FROM THE SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING ON RESOLUTION 1701 AND LEBANON

UN Special Coordinator Jan Kubis and Under-Secretary-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix briefed the Security Council on the situation in Lebanon during its regular meeting on the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701. The members of the Security Council commended the key and continued efforts of UNIFIL to maintain calm along the Blue Line. Its cooperation with the Lebanese Armed Forces with the aim of extending the control of the Government of Lebanon over all Lebanese territory and expressed the importance of UNIFIL being able to fulfil its mandate.

The members of the Security Council expressed their deep concern following the recent incidents which occurred along the Blue Line and in UNIFIL's area of operations, as well as all the violations of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, including by land and air. They recalled that all parties should 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 welcomed the will of the concerned parties to make the best use of the tripartite mechanism. They condemned any attacks against UNIFIL peacekeepers.

In addition to those exchanges on the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701 and considering the major and acute crisis Lebanon is now facing, the members of the Security Council took due note of the approval by the Government of Lebanon of an economic plan as well as of its decision to request an IMF program. They took note of the urgent need for the Lebanese authorities to respond to the aspirations of the Lebanese people by implementing meaningful economic reforms, and notably the commitments made in the framework of the CEDRE Conference, as well as the International Support Group for Lebanon meeting held in Paris on the 11^th of December. On the basis of those necessary reforms, the members of the Security Council expressed support to Lebanon to help it exit the current crisis and to address the economic, security and humanitarian challenges, as well as the impact of COVID-19 facing the country, and called the international community, including international organizations, to do so.

The members of the Security Council recognized the additional challenges posed by the global COVID-19 pandemic, also on the Lebanese economy, and commended the preventive measures taken by UNIFIL in that regard.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed the strong support for the stability, security, territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence of Lebanon, in accordance with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.

 

SPOKESPERSON FOR THE UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS ON LEBANON PROTESTS

1 May 2020 - Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on Lebanon Protests

We are deeply concerned by the renewed violence that has erupted in Lebanon this week, claiming the life of one protester and leaving dozens of other civilians and law enforcement officers injured, as well as causing significant damage and destruction to public and private property.

We call on everyone to exercise utmost restraint, to refrain from violence against other people, and to respect property.

We remind law enforcement officers that they have an obligation to abide by international norms and standards on the use of force, particularly the principles of legality, necessity and proportionality.

We also urge demonstrators not to resort to violence, and stress that the right to peaceful assembly protects non-violent gatherings.

After a relative lull in the six-month old demonstrations, due to the breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic, protests against the country's rapidly worsening economic crisis resumed this week. Some of those protests quickly turned violent.

On 26 April, a protester who was hit -- reportedly by a rubber bullet -- died of his injuries. We have also received reports that at least 77 civilians were injured between 26 and 30 April. The Lebanese Armed Forces, or LAF, reported that at least 159 of its personnel have been hurt, of whom 15 are in a critical condition. These casualty figures underline the alarming intensity of the violence.

We understand that LAF used tear gas and rubber bullets, and that live ammunition was fired in the air. Protesters, for their part, reportedly used tear gas, grenades, petrol bombs, iron chains, wooden sticks and other weapons.

We have also received reports of instances of use-of-force violations by the LAF.

We welcome the announcement of investigations by the competent authorities into these incidents. Victims and their families have the right to justice and to the truth.

While certain measures such as physical distancing may be warranted in a bid to contain COVID-19, we remind the authorities that people have the right to participate in public affairs, raise concerns, and shape all decisions that affect their lives.

The High Commissioner reiterates that our Office stands ready to continue to support the strengthening of Lebanon's institutions and reaffirms the commitment of our Office to inclusive dialogue and the sustainable development of the country.