U.N. to Seek Speedy Implementation of 1559 after Report Hizbullah is Spying on Airport
The United Nations will reportedly pursue reports that Hizbullah allegedly has been secretly spying on Beirut airport in preparation of a possible attack.
The daily An Nahar, citing diplomatic sources, said Sunday that the U.N. has started contacts to "obtain details" about allegations that Hizbullah has set up surveillance cameras to monitor movement of the airport as well as installation of a private telephone network.
It said the move comes ahead of a Security Council meeting to be held next week to discuss the latest 1559 progress report.
U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon has handed over the seventh report on the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1559 to the council”s current president, South African Ambassador Dumisani Kumalo.
Security Council Resolution 1559 calls on foreign troops to leave Lebanon, all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias to disarm, the extension of the government”s authority throughout the country and respect of the country”s sovereignty and independence.
The diplomatic sources said that in light of the latest reports on Hizbullah activities, the U.N. was "now, more than ever" keen on implementing 1559.
Druze leader Walid Jumblat on Saturday showed reporters what he said was an exchange of mail between Lebanese Defense Minister Elias Murr and army intelligence services, about the discovery of surveillance cameras near the airport, which is close to Beirut”s southern suburbs – a Hizbullah stronghold.
He accused Hizbullah of putting the cameras there "to monitor the arrival of Lebanese or foreign leaders, to kidnap or assassinate (people) on the airport road."
Jumblatt has repeatedly demanded that Hizbullah surrender its weapons in line with U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, which calls for the disbanding and disarming of all Lebanese militias.
Hizbullah says it needs to keep its arms to "resist the constant threat" posed by Israel.
Last week Hizbullah briefly detained a French politician who was taking pictures of a mosque along the airport road to ensure he was not an Israeli.