I returned yesterday from leave in London and I had the honor to meet this morning with the caretaker Prime Minister.
I wanted personally to extend my condolences with regard to the two explosions in Tripoli last Friday. I also reiterated the condolences of the United Nations as a whole, of the Security Council and of the UN Secretary General, to all those who have lost loved ones in Tripoli and earlier in Roweiss in Beirut in the events of the past two weeks.
As the Security Council has stated, the important things in the present circumstances are self-restraint, bringing those responsible for the criminal attacks to justice and cooperating with the security forces. As the Security Council stated, unity in the face of these challenges is also very important and I am confident that Lebanon can achieve that. I have felt as much in the reactions of all sides following the incidents that have taken place. I note in particular the statement of HE the President of the Republic on Saturday, and his calls for that and for the formation of a capable government and a return to the National Dialogue table. We believe all of these are important.
We also discussed the support of the United Nations for Lebanon. Everyone is working on that at the time being, in New-York and at the World Bank in Washington.
We also discussed the need to respect resolution 1701. The events of last week across the Blue Line have generated concern. Cooperation with the Lebanese Army and with UNIFIL to prevent the recurrence of such incidents and to avoid escalation is very important. I know all concerned have been working to restore calm in the area.
QUESTION: Mr. Plumbly, do you believe that what is happening in Syria is now being translated in Lebanon in line with the terrorist explosions?
SCL DEREK PLUMBLY: I believe everyone should work to prevent the impact of events in Syria on Lebanon. This has been the message of the UN Security Council almost since the beginning of the crisis and it has become even more important recently with the recurring incidents in Syria. This is very important and it remains our focus.
***
PDF: English Version, Arabic Version