Watkins: U.N. Ready to Share with Beirut Expertise in Disaster Management

U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon ad interim Robert Watkins

expressed on Wednesday the world body’s readiness to share with the Lebanese government its expertise in disaster management policies.

Following talks with Premier Najib Miqati at the Grand Serail, Watkins said: “The United Nations stands ready to share with the Lebanese government and the parliamentary committee for public works its expertise in developing efficient disaster reduction and disaster management policies.”

“This has been one of the areas of priority for United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, particularly following the natural disasters that have struck so violently in different parts of the world in the past years,” he said.

Watkins’ comments came after an old building collapsed in the Fassouh neighborhood of Ashrafiyeh on Sunday, leaving 27 people dead and 12 others injured.

He expressed his condolences to Miqati on behalf of the U.N. and said: “This was a terrible and avoidable tragedy and it highlighted the importance of preparedness in disaster management.”

The top U.N. diplomat also thanked Beirut’s “warm reception during the visit of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to Lebanon.”

“It was a very very good visit and an opportunity for Mr. Ban to exchange ideas with Lebanese officials on a number of very important issues, particularly those related to U.N. resolutions relevant to Lebanon,” Watkins said.

He added that he discussed with Miqati the implementation of resolution 1701 and informed him that the next report on its implementation was due to be sent to the Security Council by the end of February.