Watkins Meets Berri, Praises His Role in Safeguarding Lebanon’s Stability

United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon ad interim Robert Watkins revealed on Tuesday that preparations were underway for the next report on the implementation of Security Council resolution 1701, which is due to be sent to the Security Council by the end of February.

He said after holding talks with Speaker Nabih Berri: “I praised the role the speaker and other Lebanese officials have played during the past months to safeguard Lebanon’s stability and security during a time of dramatic regional developments, which is also very important for the smooth implementation of resolution 1701.”

The talks between Watkins and the speaker focused on the implementation of resolution 1701 and the general situation in Lebanon.

Watkins added: “Last week, I met with Lebanon’s Minister of Defense Fayez Ghosn and with Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji, who reassured me that the security situation in Lebanon was under control and that the army was doing its utmost to maintain it that way.”

He also praised “the strong cooperation between the Lebanese army and U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon, which is behind much of the success in the implementation of resolution 1701 in south Lebanon and the relative stability that has prevailed in that area.”