Ban's Special Envoy Warns over Delicate Situation in Lebanon

U.N. Special Envoy Terje Roed-Larsen expressed concern over the “risks facing Lebanon” at this stage due to the acts of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), al-Qaida-linked al-Nusra Front and dormant terrorist cells that belong to Hizbullah.

Roed Larsen's fears were stated during closed-door consultations between the U.N. Security Council's 15 members.

Diplomatic sources told An Nahar newspaper published on Thursday that Roed Larsen briefed the members on U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon's report on the implementation of Security Council resolution 1559.

The envoy warned that the “accomplishments” carried out by Lebanon during the past few years could be thwarted amid this delicate stage.

He reportedly expressed fear over the parliament's failure to elect a new head of state and the repercussions of the ongoing vacuum, considering that the “Lebanese politicians are risking the country's stability” by this failure.

The country plunged into a political vacuum as President Michel Suleiman's term ended on May 25.

The rival political forces have so far failed to elect a successor despite having held more than a dozen electoral sessions.

Roed Larsen also called on the council's 15 members to visit Lebanon.

Concerning the jihadist threat along Lebanon's eastern border, the U.N. official urged the swift delivery of the military assistance to the Lebanese army.

“Any delay in aiding the Lebanese Armed Forces harms its credibility.”

He pointed out that ISIL and other terrorist groups are using new tactics, such as controlling lands.

Roed Larsen said that Lebanon cannot be disassociated from the developments gripping the whole region.

The conflict in Syria has regularly spilled over into Lebanon, with the border region often particularly volatile.

The Lebanese army is battling jihadists from Syria in northeastern Lebanon which has sparked a backlash against Syrian refugees.

H.K.

G.K.