Guterres extends UN aid to Lebanon, demanding timely elections | United Nations News

Beirut, Lebanon – UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has reaffirmed his commitment to the UN in support of the troubled Lebanon and urged the country to hold parliamentary elections next year in due course.

“We want Lebanon to establish social cohesion, enhance its relations with foreign countries, and implement reforms in partnership with government and non-governmental organizations,” Guterres said Monday after a meeting with Prime Minister Najib Mikati at Grand Serail.

Mikati said Lebanon is committed to its policy of abstinence from regional conflicts and disputes.

The international community continues to urge Lebanon to take advantage of economic and construction reforms to stop wasting money and establishing anti-corruption and transparency measures.

Guterres’ visit comes as Lebanon grapples with political threats, as well financial problems which has left three-quarters of its population poor. Lebanon is struggling to control its currency, which has lost more than 90 percent of its value in just two years, as well as rising commodity prices.

Mikati said Lebanon needs more help, especially for a financial support hundreds of thousands of family programs.

He also called on the international community to help repatriate Syrian refugees.

Guterres said Syrian refugees have affected Lebanon, economics, culture, and “sometimes security”.

“However, we have seen Lebanon open its borders, even though major countries have closed theirs, and this shows the generosity of Lebanon,” he said. Lebanon has about 1.5 million Syrian refugees.

Guterres previously met with Speaker Nabih Berri, who spoke on Israel Lebanese airline crash and suspend maritime border negotiations.

He also met with six religious leaders, including the Sunni Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian and Cardinal Bechara Rai, the leader of the Maronite Church in Lebanon.

Guterres also visited the Beirut port to pay tribute to those affected by the August explosion in August last year that killed more than 200 people, injured at least 6,500, and destroyed several parts of the Lebanese capital.

“A fair and transparent investigation into the tragic events is essential for justice,” the UN secretary-general said on Twitter.

‘Solidarity Tour’

Guterres arrived in Beirut on Sunday afternoon to pursue a series of issues, related to the economic crisis, reform and security.

He met with President Michel Aoun at Baabda Palace later that day.

After the meeting, Guterres said he would meet with many political, religious and religious leaders.

“My aim is to discuss how we can better help the people of Lebanon cope with the economic and economic crisis, as well as promote peace, stability, and sustainable development,” he said.

Guterres also stressed the need to support the Lebanese army and other security agencies, as well as the UN Security Council in the south of the country.

He also called on countries to extend aid to Lebanon, saying only 11 percent of the UN’s humanitarian aid program had been funded.

“But the Lebanese people also expect their political leaders to restore the economy, provide a co-operative government and government agencies, end corruption and protect human rights,” Guterres said.

“In view of the suffering of the Lebanese people, the Lebanese political leaders have no right to divide and weaken the country.”

The newly formed Lebanese government under Mikati has not met for more than two months due to political disputes between Judge Tarek Bitar, who is leading the Beirut port summit, the Tayyouneh war in mid-October, and the ongoing diplomatic dispute with Saudi Arabia. , Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait.

Guterres also urged Lebanese officials to hold parliamentary elections, scheduled for the end of March 2022, in due course.

Aoun said he had assured Guterres that the elections would take place on time and that “it would be transparent and fair to show the true will of the Lebanese people ‘representatives”.

The president reiterated what Mikati said about the refugee crisis and called on countries to redefine the treatment of refugees in Syria, and urged them to “begin their role and promote their return to refugee security”.