Security Council to Discuss Thursday 8th Report on 1559
The U.N. Security Council will discuss on Thursday Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon”s 8th report on the implementation of Resolution 1559, An Nahar newspaper said.
Ban”s six-month report, drafted by U.N. envoy Terje Roed-Larsen, was presented to the Council on October 16.
On Thursday, Roed-Larsen will brief the Council on the report.
In it, the U.N. chief praised improving ties between Lebanon and Syria, but expressed concern about the emergence of extremists in the north and the continued challenge of militias to the consolidation of the Lebanese government”s authority.
The decision to establish diplomatic relations between Beirut and Damascus should encourage the two neighbors to engage in "further constructive dialogue that will bring mutual benefits to both countries and help ensure stability and progress in their bilateral relations," according to Ban.
The Secretary-General said in addition to establishing ties, the two countries must also take concrete steps to implement other agreements reached during these meetings, including "joint activity to improve security arrangements along that border."
He reiterated that Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias should be reduced through political dialogue. "The ultimate purpose of disarmament is the establishment of a strong Lebanese state for all inhabitants of Lebanon," he said.
"Hizbullah”s maintenance of separate military assets and infrastructure is a fundamental challenge to the government”s attempts to consolidate the sovereignty and authority of the Lebanese state," Ban said.
Resolution 1559, adopted in September 2004, called for the withdrawal of the Syrian army from Lebanon, the holding of presidential elections without foreign intervention and the disbanding of all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias in Lebanon.