United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon (L) shakes hands with Lebanese PM Najib Mikati Beirut – George Shahin Upon his return from the South tour to the International Forces and meeting their leadership, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon started holding a series of meetings at the Phoenicia Hotel in Beirut, Saturday evening, with a number of prominent Lebanese figures from various political parties. To this date, he met (respectively) former President Amine Gemayel, former PM Fuad Siniora, MP Walid Jumblatt, in addition to meeting Turkey’s Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.
Following the meeting, Gemayel said that the UN Secretary General's visit reflects the importance of Lebanon at the international level during the current phase, and the attention that international officials attach to the Lebanese cause. He described the meeting with Ban Ki-Moon as very important, noting that their talks touched on the International Tribunal. Gemayel indicated that he personally stressed the importance following up on attention to the case of his late son, Pierre Gemayel's assassination since it is connected to the course of the Tribunal.
The former president went on to indicate that the issue of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon was also raised during the meeting, especially with regards to their future in the general aspect.
Furthermore, he pointed out that talks also centered on the general situation in the country, UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1701, and conditions in the South. He considered that said conditions are related to Syria's acknowledgement of Lebanon's sovereignty over Shebaa Farms, which is a basic factor for solving the problem in the South, and is also related to Hizbollah's weapons, Gemayel noted.
Following his meeting, Siniora told reporters that, among other issues, he discussed with Ban matters related to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) and UNSCR 1701.
Regarding the UNSCR 1701, Siniora stressed on "the importance of Israel abiding by it and the significance of Lebanon respecting all resolutions issued by the UN Security Council and General Assembly."
As for the STL, Siniora said: "The Secretary General was very clear that there is no way [to amend the STL’s protocol] and not extend" the mandate of the UN-backed court.
Concerning the Syrian situation, Siniora stated that during the meeting with Ban "emphasis was put on the importance of cooperation to [move toward democracy] in Syria as soon as possible.”
In responding to a question on the Israeli violations and their impact on Lebanon, former PM said that the Lebanese government should do what is necessary concerning this issue in order to put an end to the violations that harm the Lebanese people.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon had earlier visited the UNIFIL headquarters in Naqoura, amid tight security, where he was received by UNIFIL Commander Maj. Gen. Alberto Asarta.
He praised the strong partnership that UNIFIL was able to establish with the Lebanese Armed Forces to maintain peace and stability, according to a statement issued by the UNIFIL.
UNIFIL’s confidence-building role is “creating space in which the parties can seek a long-term solution to the conflict,” Ban said.
“Working to maintain peace in the South is a dangerous path,” he added, stressing that the safety of UNIFIL personnel is “critically important,” and noting that he had called on the Lebanese officials during his meetings to strengthen protection for UNIFIL, which has been the target of attacks in the past year.
Asarta, who was presented the UN Medal, briefed Ban about the Mission and its operations, and the coordination between UNIFIL with the Lebanese and Israeli armies in order to ensure the implementation of UNSCR 1701.