Miqati during Conference on Democracy: We Hope U.N. Will Be More Just in its Resolutions

Prime Minister Najib Miqati stated on Sunday that the United Nations will be the primary sanctuary for people seeking peace, security, freedom, and democracy.

He said during a conference on “Reform and Transition to Democracy” at the Phoenicia Hotel: “We hope the United Nations will be more just in issuing resolutions and implementing them.

“Lebanon’s experience with Israeli occupation is the best evidence of this, as the Jewish state still violates Lebanese sovereignty on a daily basis,” he noted.

He cited its ongoing occupation of the Shebaa Farms and northern section of the village of Ghajar, adding that Lebanon “has on the other hand committed to respecting international resolutions, including U.N. Security Council resolution 1701.”

“It is committed to its full implementation and its right to liberate its occupied territory through all possible means,” Miqati added.

The Israeli occupation is the main causes for instability in the region, he stressed.

“Democracy has become the Arab people’s primary main choice of rule,” he continued.

“Democracy cannot be established without the rise of a strong state, development of the economy, and rejection of extremism and terrorism,” said the premier.

“The Lebanese government has set as a priority administrative reform and the development of the democratic system through devising a new electoral law that properly represents all Lebanese factions,” stated Miqati.

“God willing, Lebanon will remain an example of democracy, freedom, openness, moderation, and mutual coexistence between its religions,” he stressed.

Addressing the Arab Spring, he remarked: “It is time to launch an economic plan that would break boundaries between Arab countries.”

The prime minister therefore suggested the establishment of an Arab free trade zone, “which would pave the way for the construction of peaceful Arab societies that are longing for prosperity and development.”

Present at the conference were U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon, Egyptian presidential hopeful and former Arab League chief Amr Mussa, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.