Watkins Meets Miqati, Mansour: Ban Keen on Visiting Lebanon to Show His Strong Commitment to Country

United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon ad interim Robert Watkins revealed on Tuesday that U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is keen on visiting Lebanon, adding that the implementation of Security Council resolution 1701 will be among the main issues of discussion with the various leaders.

He said after holding talks with Prime Minister Najib Miqati: “The U.N. chief is keen to visit Lebanon to show his continued strong interest in and commitment to Lebanon.

“We are looking forward to having as many discussions with as many possible leaders about ensuring the continued safety and stability in Lebanon as it pertains to the country’s international commitments, as well as to all pertinent Security Council resolutions,” he stated.

Watkins and Miqati also discussed ways of improving the U.N. Development Program’s partnership with the Lebanese government.

“In that regard, we discussed the recommendations of an evaluation study conducted by UNDP on the UNDP policy advisory and support units that are key to the ministries and the institutions of this government,” he added.

“We have agreed to take practical steps for the implementation of these points, with the central objective of supporting administrative reform and transfer of skills to the Lebanese administration in the shortest time possible,” he stressed.

Ban is expected to arrive in Lebanon on Friday where he is scheduled to meet with several high-ranking officials.

Watkins later held a meeting with Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour during which he congratulated him on the successful completion of its two years on the Security Council.

“I think it is roundly recognized that Lebanon did an excellent job in fulfilling its functions. I expressed the U.N.’s expectation that Lebanon would continue to remain active and engaged as a regular member of the United Nations,” he added.

On this note, he hoped Lebanon would continue on meeting its international obligations as they relate to the full implementation of resolution 1701.”

He revealed that preparations are underway for another report on the implementation of the resolution, which Ban is expected to deliver to the Security Council at the end of February.

The talks also addressed the U.N. chief’s upcoming visit to Lebanon

Asked after the meeting if Ban will meet with Hizbullah officials, Watkins replied: “He will be meeting with senior government officials and a representative of the opposition.”

Hizbullah had stated over the weekend that Ban is not welcome in Lebanon.

Senior party official Mohammed Yazbek slammed the visit, saying: “Ban, (U.N. Special Envoy) Terri Rod Larson, and the messenger of evil and conspiracy’s (U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs) Jeffrey Feltman are unwelcomed in Lebanon.”

On the strategic review of the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon and the possibility that the number of troops may be reduced, Watkins said: “This was never the objective of this review. All I can say for the moment is that the review is not yet complete.”

Reports had said in recent months that UNIFIL may reduce the number of its troops given the various attacks against it, the latest of which took place in December against the French unit.

Seven people, including five French soldiers, were wounded in a roadside bomb in the southern city of Sidon.