The newly appointed UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, called on Hezbollah and Israel to “recommit to implementing Security Council resolution 1701 to ensure their enduring mutual security.”
In a statement issued on Monday, after she met with caretaker Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdallah Bou Habib, she expressed her intention to “closely follow, in cooperation with Lebanese authorities and the international community, to implement Resolution 1701 in the coming months.”
She also pledged to work with UNIFIL and other Lebanese and international partners to focus efforts in this direction.
In her discussion with Abdallah Bou Habib, the Special Coordinator stressed the “urgent need for the parties to put an end to the military conflict” on the border, describing the current situation on the southern front as “particularly worrisome.”
According to the same press release, the discussion also focused on “Lebanon’s protracted political deadlock.” Hennis-Plasschaert emphasized “the necessity of electing a new president and establishing fully functional state institutions to guide the country out of crisis and towards sustainable recovery.”
Her visit to the Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs marks the beginning of her first round of consultations with Lebanese officials.
