By NNN-KUNA,
United Nations : Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said that Lebanon and Israel have an opportunity in the coming months to move away from confrontation by making further progress in the implementation of ceasefire resolution 1701 which put an end to the 2006 summer war.
Ban said in a report to the Security Council distributed Wednesday that the general improvement of the situation in Lebanon, together with the continued stability in the area of operations and encouraging prospects in the region, “create a potential momentum that both Lebanon and Israel must seize to make bold strides towards a permanent ceasefire and long-term solution.”
“I call upon their leaders to seize the moment that is afforded to them, for the good of their peoples and for the stability of the region,” he said.
Ban also called on Lebanon’s neighbours, Israel and Syria, to continue to hold indirect talks mediated by Turkey for it has the “potential to improve security and stability throughout the region and in Lebanon in particular. I am grateful for the diplomatic efforts of Turkey in this respect.”
On the signing of an agreement between Lebanon and Syria last summer to establish diplomatic relations, Ban said it “heralds potential future progress on a number of issues of common interest that have a bearing on obligations under resolution 1701, including the delineation of their common border and increased cooperation on border security.”
“I urge the governments of Lebanon and the Syrian Arab Republic to take practical and concrete steps in the near future to delineate their common border. In the meantime, I will continue my diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the issue of the Sheba’a Farms area,” he said.
He encouraged the parties to facilitate the withdrawal of the Israel forces from the village of Ghajar and a small adjacent area north of the Blue Line, “without which Israel will not have completed its withdrawal from southern Lebanon.”
Ban said he was “disturbed by the repeated exchange of threats between Israel and Hezbollah, in particular when apparently directed against civilians.”
“I reiterate my call on all parties to refrain from statements and actions that could serve to increase tension,” he said.
He also called for “immediate and unconditional respect” of the arms embargo on Lebanon.
“It must be observed fully and without exception. Regional parties, particularly those that maintain ties with Hezbollah and other groups in Lebanon are obliged to abide fully by the arms embargo. Any breach of this is a violation of Lebanese sovereignty and threatens the stability of the country and the region as a whole,” he added.
He called on Israel to cease immediately all overflights of Lebanese territory, as they are violations of Lebanese sovereignty and cause tension among the local population, and to provide maps for the mines it dropped on southern Lebanon during the 2006 summer in order to expedite their clearance and avoid furhter casualties.