President of the Republic, General Michel Aoun, told UN Special Coordinator in Lebanon, Jan Kubis, who he received today at the Presidential Palace, that Israel continues to violate Lebanese sovereignty and Resolution 1701, last of which was the violation of Lebanese airspace and using this space to bomb Syrian areas, as well as targeting a civilian car through air force, on the Lebanese-Syrian border.
President Aoun considered that the continuation of these violations will destabilize security on the Southern Borders, in which the Lebanese Army is working to establish security in full coordination with UNIFIL forces.
During the meeting, which was attended by former Minister, Salim Jreisatti and the delegation accompanying Kubis, the President asserted that “Lebanon suffers from three tragedies which left negative repercussions on its economic, financial and social status: The first tragedy of the displaced Syrians who have not yet returned to their homeland, at a time when Lebanon encourages every voluntary return and does not pressure these refugees as some claim, knowing that Lebanon incurred more than 30 Billion US Dollars as a result of this displacement”.
“As for the second tragedy, it is related to Corona Virus, which has negatively affected all Lebanese sectors, at a time when the relevant authorities in the state continue to combat it through several measures, the most important of which is to impose public mobilization and to conduct investigations and alert medical and health equipment. These steps have achieved good results with the decline in the number of infected individuals” President Aoun said.
“The third tragedy is characterized by the difficult economic conditions that Lebanon is going through and which the Government is working to address through a package of measures that will be included in the economic plan that will be soon approved by the Cabinet” President Aoun continued. The President also asked Kubis to inform the UN Secretary-General, Mr. Antonio Guterres, of these facts to support Lebanon’s position in international forums, especially the Security Council, which is scheduled to hold a session on the 4th of May to discuss Guterres’ report on the implementation of Resolution 1701, and Kubis will brief the Council on this report.
For his side, Kubis assured President Aoun of the UN’s follow-up of all issues that concern Lebanon, and its willingness to continue providing the necessary assistance to enable Lebanon to overcome the difficulties encountered. Kubis also indicated that he will convey what he heard from the President to Guterres, noting the efforts made by the Lebanese Government in facing Corona Virus.
Source: NNA
