Security Council Press Statement on Situation in Lebanon
The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Matthew Rycroft (United Kingdom):
The members of the Security Council were briefed on 18 November 2015 by the Special Coordinator for Lebanon of the Secretary-General, Sigrid Kaag, on the implementation of United Nations Security Council resolution 1701 (2006).
The members of the Security Council reiterated their condemnation in the strongest terms of the terrorist attack carried out by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), also known as Da’esh, on 12 November 2015 in Beirut, killing at least 43 and injuring more than 200 people.
The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring the perpetrators of these terrorist attacks to justice.
The members of the Security Council reiterated in these challenging circumstances their strong support for Lebanon’s State institutions, including the Lebanese Armed Forces and security services, in their efforts to safeguard the security and stability of the country.
The members of the Security Council expressed their continuing concern at the negative impact of the Syrian crisis on Lebanon’s stability and the immediate threat to its security. The members of the Security Council reiterated the importance of Lebanon’s policy of disassociation and called on all Lebanese parties to cease any involvement in the Syrian crisis, consistent with their commitment in the ministerial declaration of the current Government and in the Baabda Declaration of 12 June 2012.
The members of the Security Council expressed deep concern over the 18-month vacancy in the presidency of the Republic, which seriously impairs Lebanon’s ability to address the security, economic, social, and humanitarian challenges facing the country. The members of the Security Council called on all Lebanese leaders to adhere to Lebanon's Constitution and to the Taef Agreement and National Pact, to put Lebanon's stability and national interests ahead of partisan politics, and act responsibly and with leadership and flexibility to urgently convene a parliamentary session and proceed to the election of a President.
The members of the Security Council noted with concern the deep socioeconomic impact of the refugee crisis on Lebanon and urged Members States to increase assistance to Lebanon.
The members of the Security Council reiterated its full support for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and renewed its call on all parties to abide scrupulously by their obligation to respect the safety of UNIFIL and other United Nations personnel.
The members of the Security Council expressed appreciation for the outcome of the latest ministerial meeting of the International Support Group for Lebanon convened by the Secretary-General on 30 September 2015 and urged the Group to continue its work in coordination with the Special Coordinator to seek opportunities to help address rising challenges to Lebanon’s security and stability.
The members of the Security Council recalled all of the Council’s previous resolutions and the statements of its President on the situation in Lebanon, and they reaffirmed their strong support for the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and political independence of Lebanon.