I just had a good meeting with Prime Minister Salam. We discussed the latest developments in Lebanon. Needless to say, our main message is one you have heard repeatedly over the past two weeks from the Secretary-General, the Security Council, from Secretary Kerry yesterday and from the International Support Group … the necessity of electing a new President as soon as possible.
The additional message is also clear, our support for Prime Minister Salam and his government, and the importance in accordance with the constitution of it being able to address the challenges that Lebanon faces and to work closely with its partners at this time.
In the context of Lebanon’s partnership with the United Nations, we discussed the implementation of resolution 1701 on which a new report is due this month, our work together in respect of the Syrian refugees and our joint efforts to encourage burden sharing and greater assistance for Lebanon. In that last context, I take this opportunity again to welcome the activation of the Trust fund announced here earlier this week by the President of the World Bank and the meeting on support for the Lebanese Armed Forces, which the government of Italy plans to hold soon.
QUESTION: Are you ready to contribute to or support the establishment of camps either at the Lebanese-Syrian border in the areas close to Syria or in safe areas inside Syria?
SPECIAL COORDINATOR DEREK PLUMBLY: UNHCR is in constant discussion with the Ministry of Social Affairs and with all the ministries concerned about refugee issues and the developing policy of the government. Camps are an issue. The problem obviously with camps inside Syria and in areas between Syria and Lebanon is precisely that of security, protection, the delivery of services and so on. These are big issues really, so I cannot say that I am optimistic about that particular track. But there are all sorts of things we are trying to do with the government, as I said, to share the burden better and to ensure that Lebanon feels that it has proper understanding and that it is able to control matters as it wishes.