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19:33 GMT
UNITED NATIONS, Nov 16 (KUNA) -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on
Wednesday expressed "deep concern" about the impact of the security situation
in Syria on the political and security situation in Lebanon and the region.
"I strongly deplore the violent incursions and raids into Lebanese towns
and villages by Syrian security forces that resulted in death and injury," he
said, warning that these incursions and the ongoing political and human rights
crisis in Syria "carry the potential of igniting further tensions inside
Lebanon and beyond."
The warning was contained in his periodic report to the Security Council on
the implementation of resolution 1701 which put an end to the war between
Hezbollah and Israel in Summer 2006.
Ban called on Damascus to "cease such incursions" which are meant to harass
Syrian refugees in Lebanon and arrest or kill political opponents.
On resolution 1701, he said he remained "concerned" by the stagnation in
its implementation, and called on both Israel and Lebanon, to fully meet its
provisions.
He vowed to continue his efforts to find a "diplomatic solution to the
issue of the Sheb'a Farms area" which continues to be occupied by Israel, but
admitted, however, that these efforts are hampered by the "unwillingness" of
Israel and Syria to "resolve the issue at this time."
He called on Israel to withdraw its soldiers from the northern part of
Ghajar and the adjacent areas north of the Blue Line and a full cessation of
violations of Lebanese airspace.
He also called on Lebanon to exercise effective authority over all its
territory and to ensure control over all weapons and to make sure they don't
remain in the hands of some groups.
On the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), he said that five years after
its significant expansion as a result of resolution 1701, "it is timely to
conduct a strategic review of its Mission.
He suggested that the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) take on a "greater share
of the security responsibilities" in the south from UNIFIL.
Prior to issuing his report, Ban received a long and detailed position
paper from Lebanon accusing Israel of "constantly" violating resolution 1701
and the Lebanese sovereignty. The paper denied that, contrary to Israeli
claims, there were weapons caches hidden in populated areas in the south of
the country.
Lebanon suggested in its paper that the international community assist the
government technically and financially to remove the land mines planted by
Israel during the last twenty years in its territory, and that Israel pay
compensation for the victims of those mines.
The Security Council is scheduled to discuss Ban's report on the 29th of
this month. (end)
sj.mt
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