Salam at U.N.: Lebanon Stresses Need for Anti-Terror Cooperation, Urges Brothers' Support

Prime Minister Tammam Salam on Friday called for regional and international cooperation in the fight against terrorist groups, urging Lebanon's "brothers and friends" to supply it with the "elements of strength."

"We must douse the flames of the raging blaze and prevent it from spreading," Salam said in a speech before the U.N. General Assembly in New York.

"Lebanon welcomes the U.N. Security Council's resolutions on fighting terrorism and it calls on all its brothers and friends in the world to preserve it, keep it away from the conflicts of axes, and supply it with the elements of strength," Salam added.

He noted that Lebanon's battle against terrorism "is not new," reminding that the country had suffered "the terror of political crimes, which included the assassination of ex-PM Rafik Hariri and a number of intellectuals."

"We stress that Lebanon holds onto the dissociation policy in order to protect itself," Salam added, referring to the Lebanese government's official approach towards the Syrian conflict.

Deadly clashes broke out between the Lebanese army and Islamist gunmen in and around the Bekaa border town of Arsal on August 2, in one of the most dangerous spillovers of the Syrian conflict to date.

The fighting ended with a ceasefire on August 7 but the Nusra Front and Islamic State militants kidnapped around 35 troops and policemen. They later executed three of the hostages and are threatening to kill more captives if Lebanese authorities do not meet their demands.

The violence prompted the U.S. to pledge to bolster the army, while Saudi Arabia unveiled a grant of one billion dollars dedicated to the military.

Turning to the stalled presidential election, Salam said "Lebanon prides itself with the fact that it is the only country in the Arab world that has a Christian president."

"This confirms that our country is an example for interaction and coexistence," he added.

The premier underlined that the government "wants the election of a new Christian president as soon as possible."

Lebanon has been without a president since May when the term of Michel Suleiman ended. Several presidential elections sessions have been held at parliament, but the blocs have failed to elect his successor due to ongoing disputes between the March 8 and 14 camps.

The disagreement has also led to bickering over holding legislative sessions given the presidential vacuum.

On the Syrian refugee crisis, Salam made a comparison between the capacity of Lebanon, which is hosting more than 1.1 million Syrian refugees, and that of the United States.

"The Syrian war has displaced the Syrians and you can try to imagine 100 million people flocking into the U.S. and spreading in it, along with the impact of this enormous number of people on the infrastructure, economy, schools, health sector and jobs," he said.

"This situation is a national disaster, as the refugee crisis should not only be a Lebanese problem but rather a major regional crisis, and the international community must shoulder the responsibility," the premier urged.

Addressing the conflict with Israel, Salam emphasized Lebanon's commitment to U.N. Security Council resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war between Israel and Hizbullah.

"We believe that it can consolidate security in the South and contribute to extending state authority across all regions," he noted.

He also underscored Lebanon's "full right to utilize its water and natural resources and the oil and gas in its Exclusive Economic Zone," hailing coordination between the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon and the Lebanese army.

Commenting on the atrocities of the ruthless Islamic State jihadist group in Syria and Iraq, Salam said "the ugly crimes in vast areas of Syria and Iraq cannot be accepted by any religion."

"They have caused unprecedented waves of displacement, undermined political entities and divided societies," he noted.

"The world has witnessed the attacks on Christians and Yezidis (in Iraq) and we consider attacks on religions and holy places as an assault against human dignity," Salam added.

Prior to his speech, Salam had held talks with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in New York, ahead of a meeting for the International Support Group for Lebanon.

Kerry underscored to Salam "the United States' firm commitment to Lebanon's security and stability at a time when Lebanon is facing many challenges," the U.S. embassy in Beirut quoted a senior U.S. State Department official as saying.

"The Secretary also emphasized the importance that Lebanon have a new President in office very soon," the official added.

Kerry commended Salam for Lebanon’s "own efforts to combat ISIL (the Islamic State state group) within its borders and noted our expedited military assistance to the Lebanese Armed Forces to help cope with the ISIL threat."

He also praised Lebanon’s support for efforts to counter the IS, including "its participation at the Jeddah meeting and signing of the Jeddah Communique."

Y.R.