International Support Group for Lebanon Throws Weight Behind Lebanon
The International Support Group for Lebanon has condemned the hostage taking of Lebanese troops and policemen by jihadists in the northeastern border town of Arsal and reiterated a pledge to strengthen the Lebanese army to confront terrorists.
Participants in the meeting of the Group that was held in New York on Friday said that “the recent attacks by violent extremist groups in Arsal had highlighted immediate priority needs on the part of both the LAF (Lebanese Armed Forces) and the security forces, including in regard to border control and counter-terrorism.”
The ministers of the group who met on the sidelines of the General Assembly “condemned the attacks and acts of terrorism, hostage taking and brutal murder by violent extremist groups,” including the Islamic State group and al-Nusra Front.
The participants of the meeting, which was attended by Prime Minister Tammam Salam, underlined, on the first anniversary of the Group’s formation, their “continued and united commitment to working together to mobilize support for Lebanon’s sovereignty and state institutions and to promote efforts to help it address the challenges it faces.”
The group was inaugurated in New York in September 2013,on the sidelines of the 68th session of the General Assembly.
The group also underlined the continuing importance for stability and security of Lebanon’s policy of disassociation.
Many meeting participants recalled the Security Council’s appeals in its presidential statements in respect of commitment to the Baabda Declaration.
During the meeting, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called for improving the capabilities of the Lebanese army.
“The Lebanese army and security forces have performed robustly, but there is an urgent need to increase their capabilities,” he said.
Ban hailed the recent contributions made by Saudi Arabia and other members states, and promised that the U.N. “will continue to play its part, including through support for the army’s five-year development plan, the strategic dialogue and cooperation in the field of counter-terrorism.”
The U.N. leader also called for the respect of the Syrian refugees in Lebanon, who are coming under a wave of revenge attacks after the terrorist groups that took the Lebanese soldiers and policemen hostage executed three of them.
Ban said Lebanon hosts the highest ratio of refugees per capita in the world and has received far less assistance than needed.
“As long as the region is aflame and the war in Syria continues, the rights and safety of refugees in Lebanon must be respected in accordance with international humanitarian norms. But the strains on Lebanon will remain immense and the burden it is bearing must be shared,” he said.
Ban also tackled Lebanon's presidential crisis, urging the rival politicians to elect a successor to President Michel Suleiman whose six-year term ended in May.
He called on the country's “political leaders to engage in dialogue now and make the compromises essential for the election of a president without further delay.”
“I hope Lebanon’s leaders will draw strength from the Group’s support to make the important decisions needed for the sake of the country and its people,” he added.
Meanwhile, Salam, who on Friday made an emotional appeal to world leaders in his General Assembly speech, met with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.
A senior State Department official said Kerry underscored the United States' firm commitment to Lebanon's security and stability at a time when Lebanon is facing many challenges.
Kerry also commended Salam for Lebanon's efforts to combat the Islamic State group and other extremists within its borders and its support for regional efforts to counter extremism.
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