Ban Urges Lebanese Army to Take Bigger Share of UNIFIL’s Responsibilities

U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon called for a strategic review of UNIFIL’s mission and said the Lebanese army should begin taking a larger share of security responsibilities in accordance with Security Council resolution 1701.

Five years after the expansion of UNIFIL’s activities, it’s time to carry out a strategic review of its mission, Ban said in his 17th report on the implementation of 1701.

He said he is looking forward for a strategic dialogue that allows the Lebanese army to take the biggest share of security responsibilities. The dialogue should include the gradual transfer of responsibilities from UNIFIL to the Lebanese military.

Ban reiterated that Hizbullah and other armed groups pose a threat to the sovereignty and stability of Lebanon.

He also encouraged President Michel Suleiman to re-launch the national dialogue “as soon as possible” to implement the previous decisions reached at the all-party talks.

The decisions include the disarmament of armed bases of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine- General Command and Fatah al-Intifada.

On the situation in Syria, the U.N. secretary-general expressed his “deep concern” over the repercussions of the Syrian crisis on Lebanon.

He “strongly condemned the incursions” of Syrian troops into Lebanese territories, asking Damascus to stop them and respect the sovereignty of Lebanon and its territories.