United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert met with Lebanon's top leaders in Beirut this week, following the 5 September decision of the Lebanese cabinet to welcome a plan for the realization of a State monopoly on weapons.

In a meeting with President Joseph Aoun, Ms. Hennis-Plasschaert raised progress and challenges in the implementation of United Nations Security Council resolution 1701 (2006), as well as the role of the United Nations in supporting Lebanon during this critical period.

The Special Coordinator also met with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Lebanese Armed Forces Commander Rodolph Haykal, with discussions focusing on ongoing and future efforts towards the extension of State authority and the full realization of resolution 1701.