BEIRUT: Lebanon is at risk of losing the trust of the international community after lawmakers botched 13 attempts to elect a new president, U.N. Special Coordinator Derek Plumbly said Monday.
“I would note that Parliament failed once again last week to elect a new President of the Republic,” Plumbly said following talks with Prime Minister Tammam Salam.
“The negative impact of this on stability and confidence is self-evident,” he said.
“The international community has repeatedly called on Lebanon’s leaders to engage to resolve the impasse. For Lebanon’s sake, let us hope that it will be overcome soon and a president elected without further delay.”
Plumbly said he discussed with Salam the security situation as well as the situation in south Lebanon and the implementation of Security Council resolution 1701.
“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,” he said from the Grand Serail in downtown Beriut.
Plumbly also condemned the recent hostile acts against the Lebanese Army in different areas.
“I underlined again the United Nations’ solidarity with the government and the families of the Lebanese servicemen being held hostage.”
About 27 Lebanese soldiers and policemen are being held by ISIS and Nusra Front militants. The kidnappers are reportedly demanding to swap the hostages with Islamist inmates at Roumieh Prison.
“I stressed the importance of unity in the face of these challenges,” Plumbly said.
He said the U.N. and the international community “remain strongly committed” to supporting the Lebanese Army.
Plumbly also voiced concerns over the recent incidents that took place in the southern border area of the Shebaa Farms. In the first incident, Israeli soldiers opened fire on Lebanese Army troops, wounding one.
Two days later, Hezbollah fighters planted a bomb that targeted an Israeli patrol in occupied Shebaa, wounding two soldiers.
Plumbly said that the incidents, which he said had violated resolution 1701, “put at risk efforts by UNIFIL and others to safeguard the security and stability that has prevailed in south Lebanon for eight years.”
“It is vital that all parties exercise restraint and avoid actions that might result in escalation there.”
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