Secretary-General's remarks at joint press conference with Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora [unofficial transcript]
Press events | Ban Ki-moon, Former Secretary-General
I would like to thank Prime Minister Siniora for the meetings he has arranged at the Grand Serail today. These have been very informative and constructive. We began with a political meeting, then I had the opportunity to meet with many ministers in the cabinet and just now we had a meeting focused on security issues. This was essential to me in seeing how Lebanon is dealing with the tragedy of the recent war and ways in which the UN can assist Lebanon.
PM Siniora and I discussed Security Council Resolution 1701. I am pleased with the continued commitment demonstrated by the Government of Lebanon on the implementation of that resolution. It is indeed a historic achievement to have the Lebanese Army deployed in the south and the cooperation with UNIFIL has been excellent. The aspect of resolution 1701 that requires more effort is the strengthening of the control of the borders. I am aware that this is also a matter of building Lebanese capacity to do so and encourage further efforts along the line being undertaken by German technical and training assistance on the northern border.
I agree with many of my Lebanese interlocutors that there is a need to move beyond a cessation of hostilities towards a more permanent ceasefire. I have briefed them on the progress being made on the issue of the Shebaa Farms by the UN cartographers. I also impressed on them the need to have some progress on the unresolved prisoners issue. I am disappointed there has not been proof of life of the two Israeli Soldiers. This is a humanitarian matter.
As you know I have just come from visiting other countries in your region including Israel and the OPT. In Israel, I reiterated the UN calls for a halt of the continued overflights. These violations of Lebanese sovereignty must stop.
I am of course disappointed that the political crisis that has now lasted some four months has not been resolved. One of my main messages here-to all Lebanese leaders I meet with- is that the path of dialogue and compromise has to be the way forward out of this impasse. This is of course in support of the regional initiatives that continue to try to help Lebanon out of this crisis, notably by the Arab League and Saudi Arabia.
The UN has a very multifaceted relationship with Lebanon, there are many agencies and missions operating here. All these are focused on supporting Lebanon's efforts for ensuring its sovereignty, independence, stability and security. I assure you, we will remain steadfast in this mission.
Thank you.
Q: [Inaudible]
SG: Ensuring the border security alongside Syria and Lebanon is also very important. There are allegations and information that the arms embargo is not being implemented by arms smuggling, which destabilizes the situation and hampers the Lebanese Government to secure peace and security in this country. We hope that the Lebanese armed forces strengthen and enhance their monitoring capacity. This is what I have discussed with the Prime Minister and Lebanese Security Forces this afternoon.
Q: [Inaudible]
SG: One of my concerns, having visited Lebanon, is that there are still some divisions of opinion on how you secure your peace and democracy. But I'm quite confident that this Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Siniora, this democratically elected Government which enjoys the strong support of the international community -- I made it quite clear during my speech before the summit meeting of the League of Arab States that I fully support, and the international community should support, such efforts by the Lebanese Government and people to ensure and to preserve their political, economic, social security and prosperity. I'm confident that this support by the international community, as well by as the United Nations, will continue.
Q: Will the United Nations adopt a new resolution to set up the international tribunal under Chapter 7?
SG: Establishing this special Tribunal is one of the important elements of implementing the process of Security Council Resolution 1701. The United Nations and the Government of Lebanon have engaged in long negotiations and we have agreed on the text of establishing the special tribunal. The United Nations has duly signed and sent it back to the Government of Lebanon for their constitutional process. We hope that the Government of Lebanon will ratify in accordance with their constitutional procedure. At the same time, it would be premature for me to mention or answer anything about invoking Chapter 7 provisions when all constitutional procedures and measures have not yet been taken. Therefore, I hope you will take this as my answer.
At the same time, I'd like to urge all Lebanese Government leaders, political leaders and religious and other leaders -- I know that in every democratic country there are differences of opinion and there are differences of political orientation -- but when it comes to their own peace, security of democratic institutions, particularly when it was requested and decided by the Security Council of the United Nations -- each and every Member State of the United Nations has an obligation to fully comply with that Resolution. I would urge the leaders of the Lebanese Government that they should engage in inclusive political dialogue for the promotion of national reconciliation. You can expect full support from the international community for economic assistance as we have seen very encouragingly in Paris last January. You can expect cooperation from the military side, as we have seen in the strengthened UNIFIL cooperation.
But all this international cooperation, without being accompanied by an inclusive political process, would not be able to achieve the expected results. Therefore, I would urge and appeal to take necessary measures for this special tribunal.
Q: [Inaudible]
SG: As for the Sheba'a Farms, my senior cartographer has been on the scene. And he has been collecting relevant documents and maps. Recently we have been able to collect historical maps and we are in the process of assessing all the historical materials and maps. We have been making good progress, and as I told you, I will be able to make a report to the Security Council before the end of June this year. At this time, it is premature again, for me to answer anything about the United Nations taking over the Sheba'a Farms.
Q: You said that you would call for strengthening the Lebanese army's capacity to control the borders. Did you also call for strengthening the Lebanese Army's capacity to disarm the militias, including Hezbollah from the south?
SG: Again, this is an important element of resolution 1701. I had this discussion with leaders of countries in the region, including the Lebanese Government. I hope that the leaders in the region will take action as soon as possible so that we will bring peace and security.
Q: [Inaudible]
SG: The special independent commission is now making an investigation and this investigation report has already been reported to the Security Council and is continuously being updated under the mandate of this commission. I'm not in a position at this time to comment, until the assessments on those investigations have been finalized. Therefore, I would only strongly urge that the investigations should proceed as smoothly as possible and the necessary cooperation by the countries concerned should be rendered. It is important that in accordance with the Security Council Resolution, there should be an agreement, a ratification process to establish a special tribunal.
Q: [Inaudible]
SG: Prime Minister Siniora has amply explained his Government's position to enhance the capacity of Lebanese armed forces, and I also expressed my hope as Secretary-General of the United Nations to see the strengthened capacity. The international community is also rendering support, including Germany. And I am going to discuss this matter with other members of the international community for possible contribution to such Lebanese Government efforts.