Security Council

5691^st Meeting (Night)

DEEPLY CONCERNED AT MOUNTING INFORMATION OF ILLEGAL ARMS MOVEMENTS INTO LEBANON,

SECURITY COUNCIL, IN PRESIDENTIAL STATEMENT, CALLS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF ‘1559’

The Security Council this evening reiterated its call for implementation of resolution 1559 (2004) -- the withdrawal of all remaining foreign forces from Lebanon and the disbanding and disarmament of all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias -- and urged all concerned to cooperate fully with the Lebanese Government, the Security Council, and the Secretary-General to achieve that goal.

By the terms of a statement read out by the Council President, Johan V. Verbeke ( Belgium), the Council reiterated its deep concern at mounting information by Israel and other States of illegal movements of arms into Lebanon, particularly across the Lebanese-Syrian border and looked forward to the conclusions of the Independent Border Assessment Team.  It reiterated its call for strict respect for Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, including its airspace.

The Council noted with appreciation that further progress has been made towards the implementation of its resolution 1559 (2004), in particular through the extension of the authority of the Government throughout the territory of Lebanon, particularly in the south.

However, the Council also noted with regret that some provisions of resolution 1559 had yet to be fully implemented, particularly in disbanding and disarming of Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias, the strict respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity and political independence of Lebanon, and free and fair presidential elections conducted according to Lebanese constitutional rules, without any foreign interference and influence.

The Council reiterated its full support for the legitimate and democratically elected Government of Lebanon, called for full respect for the country’s democratic institutions, and condemned any effort to destabilize Lebanon.  It called on all Lebanese political parties to show responsibility with a view to preventing further deterioration of the situation in Lebanon.

Recognizing the need to hold free and fair presidential elections without any foreign interference and influence, the Council urged political parties in Lebanon to relaunch national dialogue with the aim of reaching an agreement to settle all political issues.

The Council condemned ongoing criminal and terrorist acts in Lebanon, including those perpetrated by Fatah al-Islam, and fully supported the efforts by the country’s Government and Army to ensure security and stability throughout the country.  It also underlined the need to protect and assist the civilians, notably the Palestinian refugees.  It reiterated that there should be no weapons in Lebanon without the consent of its Government and no authority other than that of its Government.

The meeting was called to order at 6:06 p.m. and adjourned at 6:15 p.m.

Presidential Statement

The full text of presidential statement S/PRST/2007/17 reads as follows:

“The Security Council recalls all its previous resolutions on Lebanon, in particular resolutions 1559 (2004), 425 and 426 (1978), 520 (1982), 1680 (2006), and 1701 (2006), as well as the statements of its President on the situation in Lebanon, in particular the statements of 18 June 2000, of 19 October 2004, of 4 May 2005, of 23 January 2006, of 30 October 2006, of 12 December 2006 and of 17 April 2007.

“The Security Council welcomes the fifth semi-annual report to the Security Council of 7 May 2007 on the implementation of resolution 1559 (2004).

“The Security Council reiterates its full support for the legitimate and democratically elected Government of Lebanon, calls for full respect for the democratic institutions of the country, in conformity with its Constitution, and condemns any effort to destabilize Lebanon.  The Security Council calls upon all Lebanese political parties to show responsibility with a view to preventing, through dialogue, further deterioration of the situation in Lebanon.  Recognizing the need to hold free and fair presidential elections in conformity with the Lebanese Constitution and without any foreign interference and influence, the Security Council urges political parties in Lebanon to relaunch a national dialogue with the aim to reach an agreement to settle all political issues.

“The Security Council reaffirms its strong support for the territorial integrity, sovereignty, unity, and political independence of Lebanon within its internationally recognized borders and under the sole and exclusive authority of the Government of Lebanon.

“The Council condemns the ongoing criminal and terrorist acts in Lebanon, including those perpetrated by Fatah al-Islam, and fully supports the efforts carried out by the Lebanese Government and Army to ensure security and stability throughout Lebanon.  The Council underlines the need to protect and give assistance to the civilian population, notably the Palestinian refugees.  The Council reiterates that there should be no weapons in Lebanon without the consent of its Government and no authority other than that of its Government.

“The Security Council notes with appreciation that further progress has been made towards the implementation of resolution 1559 (2004), in particular through the extension of the authority of the Government of Lebanon throughout its territory, particularly in the South, but it also notes with regret that some provisions of resolution 1559 (2004) have yet to be fully implemented, particularly the disbanding and disarming of Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias, the strict respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity, and political independence of Lebanon, and free and fair presidential elections conducted according to the Lebanese constitutional rules, without any foreign interference and influence.

“The Security Council reiterates its deep concern at mounting information by Israel and other States of illegal movements of arms into Lebanon, and in particular across the Lebanese-Syrian border, and looks forward to the conclusions of the Lebanon Independent Border Assessment Team.  It reiterates its call for the strict respect for Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, including its airspace.

“The Security Council reiterates its call for the full implementation of resolution 1559 (2004) and urges all concerned States and parties as mentioned in the report to cooperate fully with the Government of Lebanon, the Security Council, and the Secretary-General to achieve this goal.

“The Security Council reaffirms its support to the Secretary-General and his Special Envoy in their efforts and dedication to facilitate and assist in the implementation of all provisions of resolutions 1559 (2004) and 1680 (2006) and looks forward to the Secretary General’s next report on implementation of resolution 1701 (2006) and to his further recommendations on the relevant outstanding issues.”

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For information media • not an official record