Crimes in Syria, Iraq cannot be accepted by any religion, Lebanon’s leader tells UN

“These crimes, perpetrated in the name of Islam, have cost the loss of tens of thousands of Muslim civilians and caused waves of unprecedented displacement of people,” he said, adding that terrorists were targeting religious groups who hold together the social fabric of the region and fundamental to its social and cultural diversity.

Only last month, terrorists kidnapped a number of Lebanese soldiers and police officers, three of whom were executed in a “monstrous manner.” The world has also witnessed the targeting of Christians in Iraq. Lebanon remains the only country in the Arab and Islamic world to have a Christian president, which demonstrates the country’s exceptional pattern of coexistence.

The war in Syria, nearing on four years, has driven to Lebanon nearly one and a half million displaced Syrians, a number equivalent to one third of the Lebanese population. This “unbearable burden” is weighing enormously on Lebanese infrastructure and according to the World Bank, has cost the economy $7.5 billion.

He also renewed his appeal to the international community to compel Israel to fulfil its obligations and stop violating Lebanese sovereignty. Lebanon has full right over its territorial waters, oil and gas resources. Israel must be held accountable for war crimes committed in Gaza.