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Aoun: Lebanon is Committed to Implementation of Resolution 1701 | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Lebanese President Michel Aoun meet with UN Special Coordinator to Lebanon Sigrid Kaag. Dalati and Nohra photo


Beirut- Lebanese President Michel Aoun has informed UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Sigrid Kaag that the country was fully committed to the implementation of UN Resolution 1701.

“We know the potential consequences of not abiding by this resolution [1701],” a presidential statement quoted Aoun as saying.

During his meeting with Kaag at the presidential palace on Friday, Aoun condemned Israel’s continuous violations of Lebanese airspace and its occupation of Lebanese territories.

He also informed the UN diplomat of the cabinet’s recent request to extend the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) for one year.

Aoun also spoke of the importance of aid to the Lebanese army from the UN and the international community in the fight against terrorism.

Kaag delivered an oral message from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres congratulating the Lebanese president on his success in leading the country, and reaffirming the United Nations continued support to Lebanon.

She then briefed him in detail on the discussions that recently took place at the Security Council on the implementation of Resolution 1701.

The discussions culminated with the agreement of member states on a set of recommendations that mainly dealt with border demarcation and gas exploration.

Resolution 1701, which ended Israel’s 34-day aggression on Lebanon in the summer of 2006, has called for an immediate end to hostilities between Israel and “Hezbollah”, the deployment of the Lebanese army along the Israeli border, the establishment of a weapons-free zone south of the Litani river and the disarmament of Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias.