U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon decided to issue his report on the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1559 in May, one month ahead of the Lebanese parliamentary elections, al-Mustaqbal daily reported on Tuesday.
Ban was scheduled to issue his six-month report to the U.N. Security Council this month but well-informed diplomatic sources told the newspaper that the new date will be an opportunity to unveil the international community”s stance on the parliamentary elections.
Resolution 1559, adopted in September 2004, called for the withdrawal of the Syrian army from Lebanon, the holding of elections without foreign intervention and the disbanding of all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias in Lebanon.
Al-Mustaqbal said the article in 1559 on free elections does not only mean presidential polls but also parliamentary elections.
The report is expected to stress on Lebanon”s sovereignty and independence, discuss the issue of disarming militias and call for continuing all-party talks in order to reach agreement on a defense strategy.
Ban will welcome the establishment of diplomatic ties between Beirut and Damascus, the opening of embassies and the appointment of ambassadors.
The report, drafted by U.N. envoy Terje Roed-Larsen, will also focus on the demarcation of the Lebanese-Syrian border and arms smuggling.
In his last report on 1559, the U.N. secretary-general 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.