Plumbly: National Dialogue Should Tackle ‘Illegal Arms’

إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية W460

U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Derek Plumbly stressed on Sunday the importance of having the issue of “illegal arms” on the agenda of the National Dialogue that President Michel Suleiman has called for.

In an interview with Voice of Lebanon radio (100.5), Plumbly said the illegal weapons create alarm.

The issue must be addressed from the perspective of safeguarding the wellbeing and safety of the Lebanese society as a whole, he added.

Suleiman called on Thursday for the resumption of the all-party talks in June to defuse mounting tension after deadly gunbattles raged between pro- and anti-Syrian regime supporters in Beirut and the northern city of Tripoli.

Plumbly lauded the Lebanese army and security forces for carrying out a remarkable mission during the unrest but expressed regret at the killing of Sunni Sheikh Ahmed Abdul Wahed at an army checkpoint in the Akkar town of al-Kweikhat.

He stressed the importance of carrying out the investigation to reveal the truth in his killing.

The U.N. diplomat also hailed Lebanese authorities for adopting a “wise” policy of steering the country clear of the developments in Syria, saying the problems of neighboring countries shouldn’t be imported to Lebanon.

Asked about demands by the March 14 opposition for the resignation of the government, Plumbly expressed fear on the vacuum that the cabinet’s collapse could create.

But the diplomat stressed the importance of holding the parliamentary elections on time next year.

Comments 8
Default-user-icon Ben Dou (Guest) 27 May 2012, 14:59

Keep in mind that if the UN that you represent acted and took action to keep the Israelis out from Lebanon and stopped that horrific crimes committed by Israel against the people of south Lebanon, there have never been any arms to discuss. After the war in 2006 UN established and increased their presence in south Lebanon while the treats and violence was committed by Israel and not Lebanon and with daily violations of Lebanese air space.If you wish to achieve something except stirring up by saying what you do, then take action towards Israel and not villagers whom had enough of crimes committed towards them by Israel under the eyes of the UN with no action taken to stop it. While Israel was committing torture on Lebanese UN were driving around and enjoying their time on the beach in Naquora.

Default-user-icon Ben Dou (Guest) 27 May 2012, 15:00

When Israel shelled and killed UN peacekeepers nothing was done to bring Israel to court, less then anything done to bring justice for Lebanese whom lost their beloved ones by crimes committed by Israel. For decades nothing has been done, either by the UN, EU or the rest of the international community for the people of south Lebanon. Most disturbing is that nothing was done by some Lebanese for the people of south Lebanon, with exception of some Lebanese whom stood their ground with the Shia in South Lebanon. Others helped Israel to commit such terrorist crimes towards civilians and the only thing that happened to them is that the UN and the international community helped them to gain new identities in EU, USA and Canada.

Default-user-icon Ben Dou (Guest) 27 May 2012, 15:01

Please do not mention illegal arms, check history facts pre to any condemnation of people whom resist to live while UN and the international community helped the oppressors to oppress the oppressed. With such political statements Lebanese MFA should give you the black stamp - persona none gratta and ask you to leave Lebanon, due to you have been biased in your role as UN representative and your Ethos and Pathos has pointed at a certain religion in Lebanon, the Shia. Couple of questions, why have the UN not done anything to stop Israeli air violations of Lebanon? What have the UN done to achieve the rightful return of Palestinians according to UN resolutions that clearly states that they should return? Why this lack of actions towards Israel whom has committed more war crimes then any of the Arab countries?

Default-user-icon Ben Dou (Guest) 27 May 2012, 15:02

? If you or anyone thinks people of the south of Lebanon would lay their arms and put their trust in the UN to protect them, they dream another dream. As long as nothing is done to stop Israel from committing crimes and terrorizing south Lebanese, this is just and illusion. Keep in mind that the people of south Lebanon are not fighting to kill or terrorize others; they are protecting their people due to UN or anyone else ever done anything to protect them. They have taken enough crap from certain Lebanese and Israel and will never lay down their arms. UN should ask USA and other EU countries to stop arms sale to Israel, and not put pressure on people whom no one ever protected to lay down their arms?

Default-user-icon Guestt (Guest) 27 May 2012, 15:38

Derek who? Well whoever you are, I know your name will change after a few years. You are interfering in Lebanese affairs.

Nodpbody wants illegal arms in Lebanon, today more than ever Lebanon has an eye always looking out for conspiracies, while partying in the evenings. We love life, and we are starting to hate all those around us.

Nobody cares about Lebankn's future other than ourselves.

Default-user-icon Sonya (Guest) 27 May 2012, 15:44

Illegal weapons: surely he means those outside the Palestinian refugees camps, those held privately by all sides, and Surele hedges not mean, or "dare to mean" the weapons potentially used to protect Lebanon from Israel, surely not those.

Missing cedars 27 May 2012, 20:59

Day after day we see examples of why the Gov ONLY should be responsible for the security, Let's look at Houla, everyone is saying "I did not do it". If we get two armed individuals right now and went on a rampage killing an entire neighborhood I am sure we will have a civil war in the entire country (i.e. Tripoli). No one is disagreeing from receiving arms from Iran but let it flow into the national Leb armed forces if a committee of the latter sees it fit for reinforcing our national defenses against Israel and Syria (Both of which have shown jealousy of our land over the many past yrs).

Default-user-icon GraceG (Guest) 27 May 2012, 21:23

Being a Shiite, from the South, I sometimes disagree with HA use of force. And I more or less deplore Aoun, but I don't take him seriously. I'll tell you why HA won't give their arms to the army. When the invasion happened in 1982, the South of Lebanon was left out. No one came to our help. Where was the army back then ? Either way, HA did fight for us, and they did succeed in liberating the south in 2000. How could you want me to denounce their arms ? The one party that allowed me to go back to my town and for my parents to reclaim their ancestral home ? Of course I was not happy during the May 7th incident, because it was the behaviour of a milita and not a resistance movement, but then again, who in Lebanon does not have arms ? In Lebanon the state can't even control driving laws and infractions. And the UN who failed after so many years in giving Palestine a state should be the last to meddle in our affairs.