Ban 'Deeply Concerned' by Hizbullah Role in Syria, Says Lebanon Should Adhere to Baabda Declaration

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U.N. leader Ban Ki-moon said Sunday he is "deeply concerned" by Hizbullah's growing role in Syria's civil war and called for greater efforts to halt the spread of the conflict toward other countries.

In a statement released hours after two rockets hit the Hizbullah stronghold of southern Beirut, Ban called on all nations and groups to "cease supporting the violence inside Syria," said his spokesman Martin Nesirky.

The U.N. secretary general is "extremely concerned" about the intensifying conflict, in particular around the town of Qusayr, said Nesirky.

The military support of Hizbullah has helped President Bashar Assad's forces gain the upper hand in the battle for control of Qusayr, close to the Lebanese border.

Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah has vowed to help Assad to victory in the 26-month-old conflict which has now left more than 94,000 dead.

"The secretary general is deeply concerned by the acknowledged increased participation in the fighting in Syria by Hizbullah, as well as by the risk of spillover in Lebanon, which has witnessed growing tension over the past week," said Nesirky.

"All in the region should act responsibly and work towards lowering rhetoric and calming tensions in the region," he added.

Ban has spoken out against the arming of all sides in the Syria conflict by outside countries and groups, Nesirky reaffirmed.

"As preparations are ongoing for the international conference on Syria, the secretary general urges all countries, organizations and groups immediately to cease supporting the violence inside Syria and instead to use their influence to promote a political solution to Syria's tragedy."

Ban added that it was of "paramount importance" to avert "a dangerous spillover of the conflict across borders."

Lebanese leaders must keep a "strict adherence" to an accord they made to stay neutral in the war "and keep Lebanon safe from conflict," Nesirky said about the Baabda Declaration.

Comments 3
Default-user-icon j bech (Guest) 27 May 2013, 09:59

Hezzob are a national disgrace.They have brought nothing but death and destruction to lebanon (1993,1996,2006 wars).As we saw in last 2 years, they do not have the maturity or intelligence to govern a nation.

Default-user-icon Songatcho Paraquy (Guest) 27 May 2013, 11:07

Forgive Ban. He just woke up.

Missing mfawaz 27 May 2013, 13:43

What I beleave is that in syria, there is a large salafast,takfiri lead revolt
that is cooked up by qatar and saudi arabia in support of Isreali, American policy...on a search for a new middle east. What sadens me is that you as a christian who has the most to lose cant see that. The sunnis of Harrai are and will be your down fall. Not intentionly, but through the flood of the takfiri,salafi's wahabi jehadist that are flooding our land. What part did those bishops play in there war....why are they destroying church's ....I dont expect an answer just to provoke thought...