Ban in Report on 1559: Hizbullah’s Weapons are Backbone of Differences

U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon has said that Hizbullah’s arms have become the backbone of political differences in Lebanon that would have negative consequences on all the Lebanese.

In his 14th report on the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1559, Ban said the weapons were creating an atmosphere of intimidation and were a direct challenge to the safety of civilians and a monopoly on the right of the government to use force.

The U.N. chief reiterated that Hizbullah should hand over its arms and become a political party in accordance with the Taef accord and Resolution 1559.

A political party cannot keep a militia in a democratic country because that would contradict with the ideals of protection of human rights and democracy, he said.

Ban stressed in reference to Syria and Iran that regional parties with close ties to Hizbullah should encourage it to transform itself into a political party.

Such an encouragement is necessary amid the political uprisings in the region, the report said. Ban also expressed concern that the developments in Syria would affect the political and security situation in Lebanon.

He condemned the repeated incursions of Syrian troops into Lebanese territories in the North and East.

Ban reiterated that the Lebanese government should fund the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.

The report came as the French foreign ministry urged Damascus to respect Lebanon’s sovereignty and independence. It also called on Lebanese authorities to protect any person who escapes to Lebanon from the bloody crackdown in Syria.