By NNN-KUNA,
United Nations : UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called on Lebanon and Israel to seize the opportunities gained following the Doha agreement among the Lebanese factions and to build on them to achieve lasting peace.
“Overall, there are emerging possibilities for progress on key aspects of resolution 1701 (of 2006). I call upon the parties to seize the opportunities that may arise in order to generate further progress towards a lasting solution between Israel and Lebanon.
“The United Nations reiterates its commitment to supporting the parties in their efforts to that end,” Ban told the Security Council Tuesday in a report on the implementation of that resolution which put an end to the Israeli-Lebanese war in the summer of 2006.
He warned, at the same time, that non-state actors in Lebanon may hinder the progress achieved since the Doha agreement and, in a “significant development” and contrary to previous reports, Ban did mentioned Iran by name as a supporter of the Hezbollah group and praised Syria for its efforts in curbing arms smuggling into Lebanon.
“While I am mindful of the fact that the violence of May was exacerbated by the prolonged political crisis, the events witnessed during that period illustrated starkly the risks to the foundation of the state of Lebanon posed by the actions of non-state actors,” he said in the report.
The presence of both Lebanese and non-Lebanese armed groups, such as the Hezbollah group and the Palestinian factions, outside the control of the government, he explained, undermines the consolidation of the authority and stability of the Lebanese state and is “incompatible” with that objective.
He called on Syria and Lebanon to establish diplomatic relations and delineate their border as first steps to normalize their relations. He said in this regard that he was “encouraged” by the various signals from Syrian President BasharAl-Assad regarding the establishment of diplomatic ties with Lebanon.
“I urge both parties to capitalize on this potential momentum and to work together towards the delineation of their common border in accordance with resolutions 1701 and 1680 (of 2006).
“It is my belief that the establishment of diplomatic relations and common border delineation will be of mutual benefit for Lebanon and the Syrian Arab Republic, and is important for addressing a number of key elements of resolution 1701,” he said.
He added that he was also “encouraged” by the renewed declarations from the international community on the importance of finding a solution to the issue of the Sheba’a Farms area currently under Israeli occupation.
In that regard, he said he plans to “strengthen the diplomatic process aimed at resolving this key issue. I will also continue my efforts to investigate the implications of the interim proposal contained in the seven-point plan of the government of Lebanon, (to put the farms under the UN custodianship after Israeli withdrawal until a final solution is found) and I will continue my consultations with all relevant parties and keep the Council informed.”
He said he has not received any official responses to the Lebanese proposal from Syria or Israel, despite his letters to their respective authorities.
He added that Syria did not respond to his “repeated requests” for documents proving that the farms do not belong to Syria.
On the village of Ghajar, he said Israel remained in control of part of that village and a small adjacent area north of the Blue Line. “Hence, Israel has not completed its withdrawal from southern Lebanon in accordance with its obligations under resolution 1701 (2006). This is a continuous source of tension, which could easily escalate,” he warned.
He noted that there can be progress in that regard and urged the Lebanese and Israeli governments to reply positively to the proposal sent to them by the UNIFIL Force commander who suggested the full withdrawal of the Israel forces from that area, taking into consideration the legitimate humanitarian concerns of the local population.
Ban expressed “serious concern” over the presence of unidentified armed elements in the UNIFIL area of operations for they raise tensions and cast doubt on the motives of those involved.
“I underline the importance of ensuring that the area between the Blue Line and the Litani River is free of unauthorsed armed personnel, assets and weapons. I call on the government of Lebanon to ensure the Force’s full freedom of movement in its area of operations and reiterate my call on all parties to abide by their stated commitments to resolution 1701 (2006),” he said.
He also expressed concern over Israel’s violations of Lebanese airspace. “I call on Israel to cease all overflights, as they are violations of resolution 1701 (2006) and cause tension among the local population, in addition to undermining the credibility of UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces and their efforts to carry out their mandated activities,” he said.
On the implementation of the arms embargo imposed on Hezbollah by resolution 1701, Ban said “it must be observed immediately, comprehensively and without exception.”
While he mentioned Iran and Syria by name in his previous reports as facilitating the smuggling of weapons to Hezbollah, as suggested by Israel, Ban this time simply said “regional parties that maintain ties with Hezbollah and other groups in Lebanon are obliged to respect and abide fully by the arms embargo on Lebanon, violations of which constitute serious violations of Lebanese sovereignty and threaten to destabilize Lebanon and the region as a whole.”
He went further than that. He said the Israeli claims on which he based his previous reports are unfounded. A UN official characterised it as a “significant development.”
Ban said “Israel maintains that Hezbollah is continuing to build its military presence and capacity, largely north of the Litani River but also in the UNIFIL area of operations, in both open and urban areas, including in private houses. UNIFIL, in collaboration with the Lebanese Armed Forces, immediately investigates any claims of alleged violations of resolution 1701 (2006) within its area of operations if specific information and evidence is received (from Israel). To date, it has found no evidence of new military infrastructure in the area of operations.”
He did mention, however, numerous cases of smuggling, mostly involving fuel and other consumer products. “No incidents of weapons smuggling were observed. The Force has taken measures to close the illegal routes used by smugglers and is working to enhance facilities and procedures at the official crossing points,” he added.