Ban Urges Lebanese to Fortify National Institutions, Hizbullah to become Political Party

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called on Lebanese leaders to fortify the “national institutions” and safeguard Lebanon from the repercussions of the Syrian turmoil, expressing concern over Hizbullah's involvement in battles in the neighboring country.

According to An Nahar newspaper published on Friday, the U.N. chief praised the endeavors carried out by President Michel Suleiman to maintain the dissociation policy, calling on all parties to abide by the Baabda declaration.

The Baabda Declaration was unanimously adopted during a national dialogue session in June 2012. It calls for Lebanon to disassociate itself from regional crises, most notably the one in Syria.

Lebanese parties are sharply divided over the crisis in Syria as the March 8 alliance continuously expresses its support to Assad, while the March 14 camp voices its support for the popular revolt.

Ban slammed the Lebanese officials' failure to form a new cabinet “capable” of confronting the lingering crises.

The government must be formed without any further delay, Ban said in his report.

Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam, since his appointment to form a cabinet in April, is seeking the formation of a 24-member cabinet in which the March 8, March 14 and centrists camps would each get eight ministers.

However, he has blamed his failure to lineup a cabinet on the conditions and counter-conditions set by the rival parties on the failure to form his government.

Ban made his remarks in his half year report on Lebanon's implementation of United Nations Security Council resolution 1559.

The U.N. official called on the state and the Lebanese army to take all the necessary measures to prevent Hizbullah from beefing up its military abilities and widening its arms arsenal outside the state control, in line with resolution 1559.

“The best way to remove the militia arms in Lebanon, in particular Hizbullah, is through a peaceful political process,” Ban said according to An Nahar.

He also urged regional countries, that have ties with Hizbullah, to encourage it to become a plain political party.

The report noted that Lebanon is still confronting “challenges that threaten its local security and stability and along its border with Syria, including the arms smuggling and refugees influx.”

Ban also called on Syrian authorities to respect Lebanon's sovereignty and safety of its territories, according to Security Council Resolution 1559.

Hizbullah has dispatched fighters to battle alongside the Syrian regime against rebels seeking the overthrow of President Bashar Assad.

The conflict, pitting a Sunni-dominated rebel movement against Assad, has raised sectarian tensions in Lebanon and Lebanese Sunni fighters have also been killed while fighting alongside Syrian rebels.