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Media &
Public Relations
New York, NY November 7, 2005
United Nations officials discuss the situation in Lebanon with the
leadership of the American Lebanese Coalition (ALC).
A delegation of the
ALC headed by its President Dr. Joseph Gebeily, Vice Presidents Joseph
Hage and Milad Zohrob and delegates Elie Semaan, Fadi Farhat and Adel
Sleiman spent Monday November 7th at the United Nations discussing the
critical issues concerning Lebanon, and the role of the United Nations in
addressing the current threats facing the Lebanese people.
The UN Secretary General's Special
Envoy Mr. Terje Roed-Larsen with his assistant Fabrice Aidan
received the ALC delegation who acknowledged Mr. Roed-Larsen’s important
work in the implementation of UNSCR 1559. Mr. Roed-Larsen assured the ALC
of the Security Council’s and the Secretary General’s total commitment to
the implementation of all the clauses in USCR 1559, giving a chance to the
Lebanese first to negotiate the proper way to disarm the Lebanese and
non-Lebanese militias, before resorting to other means. He also deplored
the negative influence of some of the regional powers in supporting and
arming those militias.
The United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations Mr. John
Bolton received the ALC delegation which gratefully recognized the efforts
of the Ambassador, of Secretary Condoleezza Rice and of the US
Administration in securing the passage of the many resolutions in support
of Lebanon, including the last one: UNSCR 1636. The stability and security
of Lebanon were discussed, especially with the continuous presence of
armed groups supported by Syria and Iran. Ambassador Bolton is closely
following the implementation of UNSCR 1559 and 1636 and is ready to
consider more resolutions to accomplish the US goal of a sovereign and
democratic Lebanon, free from all foreign interference.
At the United Kingdom’s Mission, the Political Counselor Mr. Paul Johnston
and the Political Secretary Ms Catherine Brooker welcomed the ALC
Delegation and reiterated the full commitment of the United Kingdom to the
sovereignty and independence of Lebanon. They shared the same concerns the
ALC had regarding regional interferences into Lebanese affairs undermining
the stability and peace not only in Lebanon, but also in the whole region
as a well.
The French Mission was the last visit for the ALC delegation. The
delegates thanked Mr. Michel Duclos, Deputy Permanent Representative and
Mr. Ludovic Pouille, First Secretary for the firm support of the French
Government to Lebanon and offered their sympathy to the French people
through the current civil unrest in France. Political, economic and
security issues were addressed at length, stressing the fact that the
Lebanese were able throughout their history to work out their differences
in a peaceful manner when left without the destructive regional
interference. Mr. Duclos exchanged ideas with the delegates about the
different solutions to the Lebanese problems, stressing that instability
and unrest in the region are caused by the same regimes interfering in
Lebanese affairs.
The ALC presented a detailed
dossier to the UN Diplomats and was distributed later to all members of
the current Security Council. The ALC stressed in its presentation the
importance of Lebanon in providing peace and stability in the Middle East,
advancing democracy and freedom in the Arab world and promoting
inter-religious dialogue and coexistence. The ALC discussed with the
members of the Security Council different proposals and practical steps to
shield Lebanon from all the harmful intrusions and heard from all the UN
Representatives the need to respect Lebanese sovereignty and territorial
integrity through a clear delineation and demarcation of the
Lebanese-Syrian border and the exchange of formal diplomatic
representation between Lebanon and Syria.
Moreover the ALC delegation raised the issue of Lebanese detainees in
Syrian prisons. The unanimous response of all the Missions was one of
dismay to such tragedy and flagrant abuse of human rights. All Missions
committed their efforts to find ways through the Security Council and
through humanitarian organizations to investigate the fate of those
Lebanese in Syrian prisons, because that is a crime against humanity and
flat out disrespect to the sovereignty and independence of Lebanon |
