UN special coordinator for Lebanon meets religious and community Leaders in Tripoli

United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert visited Tuesday Tripoli in north Lebanon.

At the Maronite Archdiocese in Tripoli, the Special Coordinator met with the Archbishop of the Maronite Archdiocese of Tripoli Bishop Youssef Soueif, the Mufti of Tripoli and the North Sheikh Mohammad Imam, the Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Tripoli Archbishop Aphram Kyriacos, the President the Islamic Alawite Council in Lebanon Sheikh Ali Mahmoud Qaddour, MP Ashraf Rifi, MP Elias Khoury, MP Jamil Aboud and security officials.

Given recent developments in Lebanon, alongside seismic changes taking place in Syria, they discussed the importance of preserving Lebanon’s tradition of peaceful coexistence, which is key to the country’s stability. "The role of a functioning, effective and empowered State that embraces and unites all its citizens was highlighted," the Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon (UNSCOL) said in a statement.

While acknowledging the impact of accumulating political, socioeconomic and security crises seen across the country, including Tripoli, the participants agreed that the time had come for Lebanon to turn towards a more sustainable future in which tolerance, openness and equal opportunities allow all people and communities to flourish. An inclusive recovery process would also help to rebuild people’s trust, they noted.

The Special Coordinator reiterated the readiness and commitment of the United Nations to continue supporting all efforts aimed at consolidating Lebanon’s security and stability and advancing its long-term recovery.