Post by Janjoon-Lebanese on Nov 20, 2006 11:46:13 GMT -5
U.N. Steps in to Settle Lebanon's Political
19-11-06
BY: NAHARNET
The United Nations has stepped in to settle the critical political crisis gripping Lebanon and would soon dispatch
U.N. Steps in to Settle Lebanon's Political Impasse
The United Nations has stepped in to settle the critical political crisis gripping Lebanon and would soon dispatch a delegate in a bid to "tranquilize" mounting tension.
The daily As Safir, citing Arab diplomatic sources in New York, said U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan has decided to "launch a political initiative aimed at tranquilizing the political situation in Lebanon."
The sources said that U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, which brought the Israel-Hizbullah summer war to an end, permits such an authority since Lebanon's internal stability is part of the overall U.N. mandate."
They said that the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) "cannot work in an unstable political environment or under any security threats."
As Safir said the initiative, which would be announced early next week, followed intensive contacts with the various pro- and anti-Syrian Lebanese factions where "ideas have been laid down starting off with consensus over a political and media calm."
The sources said the first phase of the initiative would be to try to find a compromise "between the idea of modifying the cabinet and the need to approve the international tribunal" to try the assassins of former Premier Rafik Hariri.
Magistrates Ralf Riashi and Shukri Sader left for New York late Friday to attend the U.N. Security Council meeting which is likely to be held on Monday to approve the creation of the international court.
Meanwhile, Speaker Nabih Berri, who organized the national dialogue until its collapse last week, was quoted as saying that he was devoted to keep Prime Minister Fouad Saniora in office, according to As Safir.
It said Berri reiterated that the only way out of this political deadlock "is through modification or expansion of the government."
Berri's remarks were made after meetings Friday with the ambassadors of Egypt and Spain in an effort to find a resolution to the political bickering.
All-party talks failed last week after Saniora called for a cabinet meeting to endorse the international court.
19-11-06
BY: NAHARNET
The United Nations has stepped in to settle the critical political crisis gripping Lebanon and would soon dispatch
U.N. Steps in to Settle Lebanon's Political Impasse
The United Nations has stepped in to settle the critical political crisis gripping Lebanon and would soon dispatch a delegate in a bid to "tranquilize" mounting tension.
The daily As Safir, citing Arab diplomatic sources in New York, said U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan has decided to "launch a political initiative aimed at tranquilizing the political situation in Lebanon."
The sources said that U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, which brought the Israel-Hizbullah summer war to an end, permits such an authority since Lebanon's internal stability is part of the overall U.N. mandate."
They said that the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) "cannot work in an unstable political environment or under any security threats."
As Safir said the initiative, which would be announced early next week, followed intensive contacts with the various pro- and anti-Syrian Lebanese factions where "ideas have been laid down starting off with consensus over a political and media calm."
The sources said the first phase of the initiative would be to try to find a compromise "between the idea of modifying the cabinet and the need to approve the international tribunal" to try the assassins of former Premier Rafik Hariri.
Magistrates Ralf Riashi and Shukri Sader left for New York late Friday to attend the U.N. Security Council meeting which is likely to be held on Monday to approve the creation of the international court.
Meanwhile, Speaker Nabih Berri, who organized the national dialogue until its collapse last week, was quoted as saying that he was devoted to keep Prime Minister Fouad Saniora in office, according to As Safir.
It said Berri reiterated that the only way out of this political deadlock "is through modification or expansion of the government."
Berri's remarks were made after meetings Friday with the ambassadors of Egypt and Spain in an effort to find a resolution to the political bickering.
All-party talks failed last week after Saniora called for a cabinet meeting to endorse the international court.
