The roads near the U.N. building in downtown Beirut, ESCWA, were closed and traffic was directed to nearby streets on Friday after reports that the premises could be targeted in an attack similar to the bombings on UNIFIL patrols in the South.

Al-Liwaa daily reported that the road east of the building and another known as the ESCWA tunnel was closed upon a decision by the Internal Security Forces’ head of the Beirut traffic department Brig. Gen. Mohammed al-Ayyoubi.

Prime Minister Najib Miqati stressed on Tuesday that Lebanon is always committed to implementing international resolutions, including respecting the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, which was stipulated in a number of Lebanese government policy statements.

Miqati stressed that “if Lebanon does not secure the necessary funding for the STL, then the country will be the first victim”, adding that “We are on the verge of extending the STL work in March, and we should prepare our files to present it to the Security Council”.

Speaker Nabih Berri stressed on Monday that Lebanon is committed to the implementation of international resolutions, noting that Israel’s failure to respect them resulted in the formation of the Resistance.

He said while hosting Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi over a luncheon banquet in the southern town of Msayleh: “The Resistance will defend Lebanon against any aggression and we say to all sides that they should protect it rather than fear it.”

U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon reiterated his support for the work of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon during talks with Lebanese President Michel Suleiman on the sidelines of the General Assembly meeting in New York.

Ban’s office said Thursday the U.N. secretary-general reiterated his call on the Lebanese government to implement all its obligations with regard to the tribunal, which was set up to try ex-Premier Rafik Hariri’s suspected assassins.

The UNIFIL held a festival of Lebanese homemade traditional food and handicrafts at its headquarters in Naqoura on Wednesday to mark the 30th International Day of Peace.

Local authorities, religious leaders, representatives of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and the international community were present at the ceremony were

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon held a ceremony to mark the 30th International Day of Peace during which UNIFIL commander Maj. Gen. Alberto Asarta called for a permanent ceasefire in the South.

Present at the ceremony at UNIFIL’s headquarters in Naqoura were local authorities, religious leaders, representatives of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and the international community.

U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Michael Williams said on Tuesday that Lebanon has no choice but to pay its share of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon funds.

“Lebanon has commitments … I think it would implement its commitments towards the tribunal,” Williams told al-Joumhouria daily. He said the Lebanese government would pay its dues because it “has no other choice.”

The army ended an overnight clash that erupted between a French Patrol in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and a number of youths in the southern town of Aita al-Shaab, the National News Agency reported on Wednesday.

A number of youths assaulted the French patrol and pelted it with stones on Tuesday night after blocking its way, the NNA said.

U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Michael Williams ruled out and Israeli attack on Lebanon, noting that Lebanon is the only country around the world that its sovereignty is being violated on a daily basis.

Williams told al-Joumhouria newspaper on Thursday that Lebanon’s commitment to Security Council resolution 1701 was flawless, praising the current and previous Prime Ministers’ commitment to the international resolutions.

United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Michael Williams underscored on Wednesday the importance of maintaining stability in Lebanon and protecting the country from events in neighboring Syria.

He said after holding talks with Interior Minister Marwan Charbel: “There needs to be political consensus that what happens in Syria is not allowed to affect Lebanon.”