U.N. Urges Support for Lebanon to Protect It from Syria Fallout
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
The United Nations on Wednesday called for greater international support to protect an increasingly divided Lebanon from fallout from the civil war in neighboring Syria.
Deadly clashes in Lebanon between supporters and opponents of Syria's President Bashar Assad have highlighted the need for international action, the U.N.'s political chief told the Security Council.
"As the crisis in Syria continues to deteriorate, the situation in Lebanon has become more precarious and the need for continued international support to the government and the Lebanese Armed Forces increasingly important," said under secretary general Jeffrey Feltman.
"Tensions over domestic and security concerns remain high throughout the country and are easily exacerbated by developments in Syria," Feltman told a council meeting on the Middle East.
Clashes in the northern city of Tripoli on Wednesday that left at least eight dead, the kidnappings of Syrians in Lebanon, and shelling across the border have all heightened concern about Lebanon's stability.
Feltman said the arrest of former minister Michel Samaha for involvement in smuggling explosives from Syria had also "deepened concerns about attempts to draw Lebanon into regional concerns."
U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon recently held talks with Prime Minister Najib Miqati on the crisis and "remains focused on protecting Lebanon's stability and sovereignty," Feltman said.
The United Nations has an 11,500 strong peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon to police a buffer zone with Israel.
22 August 2012, 22:15
13
Shut up BSThrower with your Palestinian this and that....Of course this should be of importance BUT again you side step LEBANON which it crumbling from within because of this cancer called HA! The Syrian refugees are a direct outcome of the Assad murderers sponsored by both Iran and HA! It's obvious Lebanon is secondary on your list of importance because you are NOT Lebanese! Idiot!
22 August 2012, 22:23
51
I guess he is not aware that the reason there isn't a two state solution in place today is because the Palestinian authorities cannot come together and cohesively and unequivocally acknowledge the state of Israel's right to exist. Sharing is not on the agenda, they want all or nothing...
22 August 2012, 23:01
11
bandoul, thats the most stupid thing ever written. You know very well thats not true. Stop spreading zionist propaganda on naharnet. How about the upsurping entity called israel first recognizes Palestines right to exist since its their land (all of it is theirs but they are only asked to recognize 20% of it as pal) and not the land of the immigrated descendands of converts from judaism who are russians, hungarians, argentinians and so on. And how about the fact that the PA already recognized israel and got nothing in return but settlements and more checkpoints and more jewish only roads and a huge wall. The PA are a bunch of sellouts who did everything but kiss the feet of the zionists, yet your still not happy? Your hypocrisy shines thrue you.
23 August 2012, 18:40
01
Palestine belonged to the Jews long before a single Arab set foot on it. But I understand that you cannot deal with these facts and prefer to lob insults and create an alternate reality. People like you is exactly the reason there will never be peace. Your broken record of the sacrifices you made does not change facts or impress me. Long live Israel and may it crush all its barbaric enemies.
22 August 2012, 23:25
11
FT I agree with you. I cant understand why you got 5 thumbs down for saying that we need to return the palestinians. weird... who can disagree with that?
23 August 2012, 01:07
01
Palestinians out, Syrians out and Hezbollah Iranian cronies out
23 August 2012, 11:00
00
What the united States should do is give our army weapons and good ones to not old junk ,then our army is strong and can protect our borders from Syria and Israel and clean the country from Hezb Iran ..
