Annan welcomes national dialogue towards stability in Lebanon
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan welcomed the national dialogue officially initiated today by the Lebanese
Speaker of Parliament on issues critical for the country, expressing hope that it will contribute to political stability
there.
“The Secretary-General congratulates the Speaker of Parliament for this crucial and timely initiative and wishes it
every success,” Mr. Annan’s spokesman said in a formal statement in New York.
Last month, the UN Security Council said “a broad national dialogue” was needed in the country to make more progress in
satisfying its resolution 1559, which called for an end to foreign influence in Lebanon.
While the withdrawal of Syrian forces and the holding of credible parliamentary elections in May and June 2005 had been
accomplished, the Council’s statement pointed to the need for a dialogue on disbanding militias and reasserting
Government control over parts of the country.
Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s Special Envoy, Terje Roed-Larsen, last week called Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri to
voice his support for the national dialogue.