Ban Welcomes New Cabinet but Stresses Implementation of 1701
U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon welcomed Monday the newly formed Lebanese national unity government, and called for action on restricting weapons in the country”s south from anyone except the Lebanese army and other state forces.
The Secretary General expressed "satisfaction that… Lebanese political leaders have been able to reach agreement on the formation of a cabinet," Ban”s spokesman said in a statement, adding that he hopes Lebanese leaders will "work together in a spirit of unity, dialogue and cooperation."
The U.N. Security Council”s Resolution 1701, which ended the 34-day war between Hizbullah and Israel in 2006 and requires the removal of arms in southern Lebanon from the hands of everyone except the state security apparatus, must be adhered to, Ban said.
"The Secretary-General calls on the new government of Lebanon to recommit to the full implementation of Security Council resolution 1701," Ban”s spokesman said.
"He also urges the new government to quickly take up the challenges that remain to consolidating both the sovereignty of Lebanon and the institutional capacity of the Lebanese state."