LEBANON: UN Envoy Discusses Way Forward With European Foreign Ministers
New York, Jul 18 2005
A senior United Nation official today briefed European Union (EU) Foreign Ministers on the situation in Lebanon,
including the withdrawal of Syrian military and intelligence personnel and the disarming and disbanding of all Lebanese
and non-Lebanese militias as mandated by the UN Security Council.
Terje Roed-Larsen, Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Envoy for the implementation of Council resolution 1559, which
calls for the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Lebanon, disbanding all militias and extending Government control
over the whole country, met with the ministers in Brussels at the invitation of the EU Presidency, at present held by
Britain.
The discussions focussed on implementing the terms of the resolution, and included the results of the recent
parliamentary elections and the ongoing conflict-ridden efforts to form a new government, spokesperson Marie Okabe told
the daily UN briefing in New York.
In spite of significant progress on some of the provisions of the resolution, Mr. Roed-Larsen underlined the necessity
for the full implementation of all the requirements of resolution 1559, she said. He expressed his concern over the rising tensions in Syrian-Lebanese relations on economic and security
related issues.
The meeting was chaired by British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw. After the discussions, Mr. Roed-Larsen called on all
parties to continue to use dialogue and he made an appeal to wisdom and sensibility, based on the Lebanese people's
right to political independence and economic well-being.
Ms. Okabe quoted him as saying: "The meeting was constructive and forward looking. It displayed a remarkable
international similarity and consensus in policy related to 1559. This is reflected in the conclusions of the meeting
released by the British presidency of the EU."
Mr. Roed-Larsen, who earlier this year shuttled between Syria and Lebanon to broker an agreement on this spring's Syrian
military withdrawal from its smaller neighbour, stays in close contact with the key players and has over the last few
days spoken extensively with Lebanese President Emile Lahoud, Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Prime Minister designate Fuad
Siniora and others.
ENDS