Ban Hails Suleiman over Dissociation Policy, Says Presidential Polls Should be Held on Time

U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon lauded President Michel Suleiman on Monday for holding onto the dissociation policy and encouraged the rival parties to ensure that the presidential elections are held on time.

“I commend President Suleiman’s leadership to uphold the country’s disassociation policy. This is vital to prevent the Syrian crisis from exacerbating tensions in Lebanon as we have seen with recent acts of terrorism and bombings,” said Ban in remarks to the Security Council open debate on the situation in the Middle East.

“I welcome the momentum to form a government, and encourage all parties to ensure that presidential elections are held on time,” he said.

“The people of Lebanon look to their leaders to work together to steer their country through this difficult time.”

Ban also welcomed the start of the trial in ex-PM Rafik Hariri's Feb. 2005 assassination at the seat of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon in The Hague.

The opening of the trial is a reminder of the fight to end impunity in Lebanon, he said.

Also in his remarks, the U.N. Secretary-General said “violations of Lebanon’s border with Syria continue, including a worrying escalation of rocket firing and airstrikes into Lebanon’s Bekaa region.”

“Refugees continue to cross into Lebanon in large numbers, now totalling over 860,000 - a six-fold increase over last year.”

Turning to southern Lebanon, Ban said the situation in the area south of the Litani river where U.N. peacekeepers are deployed remains relatively stable due to the cooperation of the Lebanese and Israeli authorities with UNIFIL to contain recent incidents.

“All must build on the stability that has prevailed along the Blue Line under resolution 1701,” he said.