Syria Demands Roed-Larsen”s Dismissal, Says it Implemented 1559
Syria has asked for the dismissal of U.N. secretary-general”s envoy on the implementation of Security Council resolution 1559, Terje Roed-Larsen, for allegedly making secret visits to Israel to incite the Jewish state against Damascus and oppose the withdrawal from the northern part of the village of Ghajar.
According to As Safir daily on Monday, the Syrian mission”s third secretary in New York, Yasar Diab, told the General Assembly”s fifth committee on administrative and budgetary affairs that Roed-Larsen has written two reports this year on the implementation of 1559 without making any visits to Beirut. On the other hand, he has visited Israel several times.
Diab accused the envoy of implementing a "suspicious personal agenda" that has nothing to do with his mission. He also said that Roed-Larsen is violating the U.N. Charter by interfering in Lebanese-Syrian affairs such as border demarcation.
Diab reiterated that Damascus has implemented 1559″s provisions by withdrawing its troops and intelligence agents from Lebanese territories. He said 1559″s remaining articles were a Lebanese issue.
As Safir said that the Syrian envoy also criticized the U.N. for considering Roed-Larsen responsible for the implementation of resolution 1680.
The U.N. general-secretariat has previously noted that Roed-Larsen”s mandate derives not only from 1559 but also from subsequent related resolutions, including 1680 and 1701.
Diab finally called for the annulment of a clause in the report on the apportionment of the U.N. envoy”s expenses. The clause invites Roed-Larsen to encourage member states to implement resolution 1680.