Lebanon: UN chief welcomes new Government led by Saad Hariri

“The United Nations looks forward to working with the new Government to continue to address political, security and humanitarian challenges, improve socioeconomic prospects, and ensure the effective implementation of Security Council resolution 1701 (2006) and other relevant resolutions, which remain essential to the stability of Lebanon and the region,” said a statement issued by Ban's spokesman.

The Secretary-General congratulated Prime Minister Saad Hariri on the swift process and encourages Lebanon's political leaders to build on the momentum of national unity, and paid tribute to outgoing Prime Minister Tamman Salam for his leadership, the statement added.

The announcement yesterday of the new Cabinet members followed the election of President Michel Aoun on 31 October 2016, which ended the country's 29 months without a president. The stability of the country is crucial as it is currently hosting 1.1 million Syrian refugees in addition to the 300,000 Palestine refugees since 1948.

Council resolution 1701, adopted in 2006, called for a full cessation of hostilities in the month-long war between Israel and Hizbollah, mapping out a formula for the phased withdrawal of the Israel Defence Forces from southern Lebanon.

The United Nations works on multiple fronts to assist Lebanon in forging a peaceful, stable and democratic future. The world body's efforts there include the Office of the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon (UNSCOL) – the Special Coordinator serves as the Secretary-General's representative to the Lebanese Government, all political parties and the diplomatic community based in the country and carries out good offices work on behalf of the UN chief to assist Lebanese parties to reach peaceful and consensus-based solutions to contentious issues.

Photo: World Bank/Dominic Chavez

Source: www.justearthnews.com