I just had a very good meeting with Foreign Minister Bassil. We discussed the situation in Lebanon and the region. I congratulated him on the vote of confidence for the government. We discussed the outcome of the International Support Group meeting in Paris two weeks ago and the preparations that are underway for upcoming meetings in Rome which will be dedicated for support for the Lebanese Army.
I informed the Minister that I will be travelling to New York next week to brief the Security Council on the implementation of resolution 1701. I welcomed the calm that continues to prevail in South Lebanon, and the work of UNIFIL in collaboration with the parties to sustain it, but shared concern about recent violations which UNIFIL will be discussing with the parties. We discussed also the situation along Lebanon’s eastern and northern borders. I reiterated the UN’s calls for full respect of Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
QUESTION: Will you propose this to be included in a statement of the Security Council?
SPECIAL COORDINATOR DEREK PLUMBLY: This point in particular has been repeated in all statements of the Security Council in past years and in Security Council resolutions.
QUESTION: Will you include in your briefing to the Security Council the Syrian army air violations in Arsal and in Akkar?
SCL DEREK PLUMBLY: Of course, all these issues will be mentioned. There were violations even before the latest dangerous one and they were included in the report of the Secretary-General. Thank you.