Naharnet

Security Council Urges Lebanese to Elect President, End 'Any Involvement in Syrian Crisis'

The U.N. Security Council on Thursday issued a press statement urging all Lebanese parties to “cease any involvement in the Syrian crisis” and calling on Lebanese politicians to “urgently” elect a new president.

“The members of the Security Council were briefed on 18 November 2015 by the Special Coordinator for Lebanon of the Secretary-General, Sigrid Kaag, on the implementation of United Nations Security Council resolution 1701 (2006),” said the statement, which was issued Thursday by Council President Matthew Rycroft.

The members reiterated their condemnation in the “strongest terms” of the deadly suicide bombings that hit the Beirut southern suburb of Bourj al-Barajneh.

The attack, among the worst in years, left 43 people dead and around 240 others wounded and was claimed by the extremist Islamic State group, which has seized vast swathes of Iraq and Syria.

The members of the Security Council said they renew in “these challenging circumstances” their “strong support for Lebanon’s State institutions, including the Lebanese Armed Forces and security services, in their efforts to safeguard the security and stability of the country.”

They also expressed their “continuing concern at the negative impact of the Syrian crisis on Lebanon’s stability and the immediate threat to its security.”

Highlighting the importance of Lebanon’s so-called policy of disassociation towards the Syrian crisis, the members called on all Lebanese parties to “cease any involvement in the Syrian crisis,” reminding them of “their commitment in the ministerial declaration of the current Government and in the Baabda Declaration.”

Turning to the lengthy presidential vacuum that started in May 2014, the members expressed “deep concern,” warning that the void “seriously impairs Lebanon’s ability to address the security, economic, social, and humanitarian challenges facing the country.”

They called on all Lebanese leaders to adhere to “Lebanon's Constitution and to the Taef Agreement and National Pact, to put Lebanon's stability and national interests ahead of partisan politics.”

They also urged them to “act responsibly and with leadership and flexibility to urgently convene a parliamentary session and proceed to the election of a President.”

Separately, the members of the Security Council “noted with concern the deep socioeconomic impact of the refugee crisis on Lebanon,” urging members states to increase assistance to Lebanon.

The members also reiterated full support for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), calling on all parties to “abide scrupulously by their obligation to respect the safety of UNIFIL and other United Nations personnel.”


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