Plumbly Says World 'Strongly Committed' to Support Lebanese Army
The international community remains strongly committed to supporting the Lebanese army, U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Derek Plumbly said Monday.
Plumbly told reporters following a visit to Prime Minister Tammam Salam at the Grand Serail that he “paid tribute to Lebanon’s security forces, particularly the army, for all the efforts and sacrifices they have made to safeguard the country in the face of grave challenges.”
He “condemned the recent hostile acts against the Lebanese army in different areas” and “underlined again the United Nations’ solidarity with the government and the families of the Lebanese servicemen being held hostage.”
The diplomat stressed the importance of unity among the Lebanese in the face of these challenges.
“The United Nations and the international community remain strongly committed to supporting the Lebanese army as was highlighted at the last meeting of the International Support Group for Lebanon” that was held in New York in the presence of U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon and Salam, said Plumbly.
He also said he discussed with Salam the situation in the South and the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701 that ended the 2006 war between Israel and Hizbullah.
“I expressed my concern over the incidents that took place recently in the area of the Shebaa Farms in violation of resolution 1701, which put at risk efforts by UNIFIL and others to safeguard the security and stability that has prevailed in south Lebanon for eight years,” he told reporters.
Plumbly urged all parties to “exercise restraint and avoid actions that might result in escalation there.”
Turning to the presidential deadlock, the diplomat said the “negative impact” of the failure of rival MPs to elect a new head of state is “self-evident.”
“The international community has repeatedly called on Lebanon’s leaders to engage to resolve the impasse. For Lebanon’s sake, let us hope that it will be overcome soon and a president elected without further delay,” he added.
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