Ban in 1559 Report: Staging Presidential Elections a Must to Confront Challenges

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged the Lebanese arch-foes to stage the presidential elections on time within the constitutional deadline and according to the norms, calling on Hizbullah to become a political party.

“Carrying out the presidential polls according to a free and fair process in line with the (U.N. Security Council) resolution 1559 is a main element to maintain democratic institutions,” Ban said.

He made his remarks in his half year report on Lebanon's implementation of United Nations Security Council resolution 1559.

On Wednesday, MPs failed to elect a president after no candidate secured the two-thirds of the votes needed to win and many lawmakers cast blank ballots and then left the parliament hall, leading to a lack of quorum.

During the second round next Wednesday, the winning candidate will need a simple majority of 65 votes.

Concerning the efforts exerted by Lebanese Armed Forces to confront the security challenges and implement a security plan in the northern city of Tripoli and the eastern Bekaa valley, Ban urged Lebanon's international support groups to offer all the necessity aid to the Lebanese army.

The army began implementing a security plan in Tripoli in an attempt to put an end to the clashes that frequently erupt between the city's rival neighborhoods of Bab al-Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen.

The army and security forces have so far arrested dozens of suspects and their efforts are ongoing to detain more.

The plan was then implemented in the Bekaa region, with the security forces cracking down on gunmen, car theft gangs, and other outlaws.

The U.N. chief also called on the Lebanese parties to resume the National Dialogue sessions to “confront violence in the country and to disarm militias and non-Lebanese armed groups.”

“The Syrian conflict should not be an excuse to ignore these responsibilities,” Ban added.

He also urged the “Lebanese government and LAF to take all the necessary measures to prevent Hizbullah from obtaining arms and military equipments outside the state's control, which clearly violates the resolution 1559.”

The official also called on the “regional countries that have strong ties with Hizbullah to encourage it to turn into a political party and to disarm it... For the sake of Lebanon, peace and security in the region.”

As Safir newspaper said that Ban's report is expected to be discussed mid-next week by the U.N. Security Council in the presence of U.N. Special Envoy Terry Rod Larsen.

Ban expressed concern in his report over “Hizbullah's military capabilities,” reiterating calls on the party not to engage in any activities in or outside Lebanon in line with the Taef accord and resolution 1559.

He therefore renewed his call on all political leaderships to adhere to the Baabda Declaration, which emphasizes Lebanon's policy of disassociation from regional developments.

“There are real security challenges that undermine stability in Lebanon.”

Ban said that the “demarcation of the Lebanese-Syrian border is a necessity as Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias carry out activities along it... Which indicates the necessity to control the area.”

The U.N. chief voiced fear over the ongoing arms smuggling along the Lebanese-Syrian border.

Lebanon and Syria share a 330-kilometer border but have yet to agree on official demarcation.

H.K.

D.A.