Press conference by the Secretary-General upon visiting the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)

SG: Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. It¦s a great pleasure to meet you on the occasion of my visit to UNIFIL. I am very much impressed and moved by all what UNIFIL officers, men and women, have been contributing to preserve peace and security in Lebanon. The peace and security in the Middle East in general, and also preserving the peace in Lebanon, has a great importance and implications for all the peace and security around the world. This area, Lebanon, unfortunately has been suffering from decades-long wars, and we hope that the Lebanese people and Government will be able to enjoy genuine freedom in a secure and peaceful land. The United Nations is fully committed to support such efforts by the Lebanese people. UNIFIL has been strengthened by Security Council Resolution 1701 following the war last year. It was very unfortunate, but at the same time I am gratified, owing to the dedicated commitment and service of our men and women of UNIFIL and the international support towards the Lebanese people, the Lebanese situation is now being calm and peaceful. I hope this calm and peace on the ground will continue. At the same time, I like to see that our men and women of UNIFIL, under the leadership of General [Claudio] Graziano, will have a close cooperation with the Lebanese Armed forces and will also maintain a harmonious and cooperative relationship with the community here. It is very important that there will be trilateral cooperation, [among] community leaders, the Lebanese Armed Forces and UNIFIL forces, to see that their work and contribution will be carried out smoothly. I thank you very much and I will be ready to answer your questions.

Q: Secretary-General Ban, as you want us to call you, you have been briefed about the situation in south Lebanon and the work of UNIFIL; do you consider the situation is still very volatile and do you feel that UNIFIL is under threat in the south of Lebanon?

SG: I was briefed that there are still some elements of challenges and maybe some potential threats; this is why UNIFIL members will have to be continuously vigilant. But at this time, I was told also the situation is rather calm. We hope that, with the increased and enhanced capacity of the Lebanese Armed Forces and close coordination with UNIFIL, we¦ll be seeing continuing peace and security here.

Q: Secretary-General, you met Lebanese officials yesterday. Do you think that everybody here has an identical reading of 1701, especially with regard to the disarming of Hezbollah? What was your impression after meeting with officials from the parties?

SG: There are several elements in Security Council Resolution 1701, including the disarming of Hezbollah and prevention of arms smuggling and all other related issues. All these issues need concerted and coordinated efforts by the international community and particularly the parties concerned. We hope that the parties concerned and countries concerned will fully comply with the Security Council resolution. I was encouraged by the strong commitment of the Lebanese Government to fully comply with this resolution. When I visited Israel, I also urged the Israeli Government to fully comply with this resolution.

Q: Are you satisfied with the assessment of the Lebanese Government and army that no arms are being smuggled across the border?

SG: There was an intelligence report that the arms are [being] smuggled. I am concerned by that kind of arms smuggling, which will destabilize the situation in Lebanon. I hope and urge that the parties concerned will fully comply with the Security Council Resolution, and there needs to be an enhanced maritime capacity of the Lebanese Armed Forces to ensure that there will be no such smuggling activities. We are grateful to some members of the international community, particularly the German government who offered such assistance, and as Secretary-General I am going to discuss this matter with other members of the international community who may contribute such assistance.

Q: But sir, are you satisfied with what the Lebanese Government says?

SG: I¦m encouraged by the firm commitment of the Lebanese Government and the Lebanese Government needs to strengthen the capacity of their armed forces. UNIFIL is now cooperating fully, and the international community is giving assistance to them.

Q: Resolution 1701 mentioned that there is a stop for military operations; is there any hope to transfer this resolution to a ceasefire?

SG: It is important that the current cessation of hostilities could be transferred and developed into a permanent ceasefire. I know that Lebanese Government is very much interested. When I visited Israel, the Israeli Government also expressed such hope, that the current cessation of hostilities could be developed into an agreement of permanent ceasefire, and we are working for that. I hope that parties concerned will make good progress to that effect.

Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen.