Lebanese President addresses United Nations Security Council
Lebanese President Michel Sleiman reiterated that Lebanon has the right to liberate its occupied land through all possible and legal means. He also threw his country's backing behind the Palestinian drive for full UN membership as a state, but cautioned at the same time that recognizing the Palestinian state does not return all rights and therefore could not be considered as a final solution.
Addressing the United Nations General Assembly, President Sleiman said that Lebanon is striving to preserve moderation, despite the challenges. “According to its constitution, Lebanon is a democratic, parliamentary republic built upon freedom of expression and belief and its people is the source of authority. It has committed itself to these principles and to the participation of all sects in public affairs, despite the wars, and it is committed to UN resolutions, including those related to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon,” he said.
The President said that Lebanon backs any peaceful movement in the region to achieve reform and consolidate justice and safeguard the citizens’ freedom and honor. He stressed the necessity to follow up the developments in the Arab world without sliding into chaos or sectarian mini-states. He added that it was not possible to look at all popular protests from one angle, and noted that the region entered a transition stage.
Sleiman said that a just, comprehensive solution must be imposed in order to resolve all the problems in the Middle East according to the principles of international legitimacy and the Madrid conference. He also noted it was time for an understanding between the East and the West.
The Lebanese President threw his country's backing behind the Palestinian drive for full UN membership as a state. "It is important to underscore the rightful Palestinian efforts aiming at earning the recognition of the state of Palestine and its full membership to the United Nations," Sleiman told the UN General Assembly. "Lebanon will back these efforts," he added. Yet, he cautioned that recognizing the Palestinian state does not return all rights and therefore could not be considered as a final solution. He stressed that the final solution should guarantee the right of return to Palestinian refugees, and rejected any form of naturalization of Palestinians.
Sleiman noted that Lebanon has recognized the Libyan National Transitional Council, and urged Libyan officials to uncover the truth in the cause of Imam Sayyed Moussa as-Sadr and his two companions Sheikh Mohamad Yaaqoub and Journalist Abbas Badreddin, who disappeared while paying a visit to Libya.
The President also pointed to the danger of mines thrown by the Israeli enemy during the last July war. He called to condemn the Israeli criminal acts and demand compensation for Lebanese.
Sleiman stressed Lebanon’s commitment to the resolution 1701, and called the international community to pressure Israel to apply its laws. He stressed the necessity that Israel end its violations for the Lebanese sovereignty and withdraw from the Lebanese land.
The Lebanese President highlighted that Lebanon keeps its right to liberate its land through all possible and legal means. He also expressed commitment to all Lebanon’s rights in its maritime borders. He noted that he has asked UN Chief Ban Ki-Moon to take all necessary measures to prevent any conflict in this regard.
President Sleiman hailed the role played by the UNIFIL forces in South Lebanon, in coordination with the Lebanese army. He denounced the terrorist blasts that targeted these forces in the few last months, and vowed to find those who stand behind them.
