Plumbly Lauds Tripoli Move, Says U.N. Unaware of Plan to Bury Syria Arms in Lebanon

U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Derek Plumbly on Tuesday hailed the efforts exerted to contain the violence in the northern city of Tripoli and denied knowledge of reported plans to destroy Syria's chemical weapons in Lebanon.

Following talks with Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati at the Grand Serail, Plumbly expressed his “deep concern over the recurrence of violence in Tripoli and welcomed the efforts of the army and security forces, in parallel with political efforts and the efforts of the caretaker Prime Minister, to restore calm across the city.”

“Now, more than ever, and particularly in light of the developments in neighboring Syria, it is important for all parties in Lebanon to exercise restraint and to act in Lebanon’s interests,” he said.

The army has deployed heavily in the rival Tripoli districts of Bab al-Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen, in addition to Syria Street that divides the two areas, a week after a new bout of gunbattles left scores of casualties.

The deployment came after a decision taken by the country's top leaders to bring the city's security situation under control.

Plumbly reiterated the U.N.’s support for the calls voiced by President Michel Suleiman and other leaders to respect the country’s state institutions, protect Lebanon from the impact of the Syrian crisis through the dissociation policy, to form an effective government and resume the national dialogue among the political foes.

Asked by a reporter about U.N.-Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi's visit to Beirut, Plumbly said: “Brahimi is currently in Damascus and we wish him success in his discussions.”

“We expect him to return to Lebanon in the coming days. His office will share details regarding his program and issues he would raise in Lebanon when available,” he added.

On media reports about the possibility of burying Syria’s chemicals in Lebanon, Plumbly told reporters that “the U.N. is not aware of any such plans.”

He said the Syrian government has recently submitted its destruction plan to the Director General of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in the Hague.

Caretaker Environment Minister Nazem al-Khoury has dismissed the reports on the issue.

“Lebanon categorically opposes such a policy and the environment ministry will totally reject” it, he added.