Security Council welcomes accord to end Lebanese political crisis
22 May 2008 - The Security Council has welcomed this week's accord to resolve the long-running political stand-off in Lebanon and
called for the agreement, which paves the way for a president to finally be elected and a national unity cabinet to be
established, to be implemented fully.
In a presidential statement issued today, the Council congratulated the leaders and people of Lebanon for the deal,
reached yesterday in Doha, Qatar, under the auspices of the Arab League.
It "constitutes an essential step towards the resolution of the current crisis, the return to the normal functioning of
Lebanese democratic institutions, and the complete restoration of Lebanon's unity and stability," according to the
statement, read out by Ambassador John Sawers of the United Kingdom, which holds the Council presidency this month.
The agreement has been reached after deadly violence between pro- and anti-Government militias erupted recently in the
capital, Beirut, and elsewhere. Since last November, when the office became vacant, there have been 18 failed attempts
to conduct a parliamentary vote to select the next president.
Under the accord, a new president will be chosen, a national unity cabinet will be set up and the country's electoral
laws will be addressed.
Council members said they also welcomed the decision to continue the national dialogue on ways to reinforce the
authority of the State over the entire territory so as to guarantee the sovereignty and safety of the State and the
people.
In addition, they noted the agreement bans the use of weapons and violence as a means to settle disputes, regardless of
their nature or the circumstances.
The statement, which echoes a similar statement from Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon yesterday, stressed the need for the
accord to be implemented in its entirety, in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions and with the 1989
Taef agreement ending the civil war.
ENDS