Hariri Rejects Amendment of 1701; Williams Asks Israel to Stop Violations
Premier-designate Saad Hariri rejected Monday Israeli calls for the amendment of a U.N. Security Council resolution and called for full commitment to its provisions without exception.
"Israel”s calls for the amendment of Resolution 1701 are a new attempt to escape (its obligations) and to hide the real violations of this resolution," Hariri told visiting U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Michael Williams.
Hariri cautioned the international community against the "dangers of slipping toward any form of manipulation of Resolution 1701."
He called for safeguarding "UNIFIL”s role and responsibility to protect the Lebanese border against any Israeli aggression."
"We stress that UNIFIL is a friendly force that is undertaking the essential tasks of guaranteeing Lebanon”s sovereignty and the implementation of 1701," he said.
The premier-designate insisted that Lebanon was "fully committed" to Resolution 1701 and renewed calls for continued "coordination between UNIFIL and the Lebanese army."
For his part, Williams said he told Hariri that the United Nations "was ready to support him in any way possible to form a new government."
He said the international community and the United Nations were "eagerly waiting for the new government" and U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon was "personally following up the issue."
"We also discussed the implementation of Resolution 1701 and agreed on the need for all sides to adhere to this resolution," he added.
Williams called on all sides to exercise "self-restraint" and urged Israel to "put an end" to its daily violations of Lebanon”s sovereignty.