Beirut, Lebanon

Monday, 29 December 2014

Firstly, I would like
to extend my best wishes to the Prime Minister and the Lebanese people for this
holiday season and for the new year. We discussed today the security situation,
including the implementation of resolution 1701 and the crucial role played by
the army both in the south and elsewhere in the country.

I paid tribute to Lebanon’s security forces,
particularly the army, for all the efforts and sacrifices they have made to
safeguard the country in the face of grave challenges this year. I also warmly
welcomed the progress made in securing international support for the Lebanese
army, which has been a core concern for the United Nations.

I thanked the Prime Minister for his role in finalizing
and launching with the UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson the Lebanon
Crisis Response Plan earlier this month. We discussed what steps need to be
taken to help ensure an appropriate and sufficient international response to
the plan.

Finally, I welcomed the initiatives under way with
respect to dialogue between political parties in Lebanon, including the
dialogue meeting held last week between the Future Movement and Hizbullah under
the auspices of the Speaker of the Parliament. Clearly dialogue is important
for unity and stability in these difficult times. We very much hope that these
steps will contribute to resolving outstanding issues, and in the first place the
vacancy in the presidency.

Thank you.

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