International figures voiced concern over the security situation in Lebanon, appealing for calm in the country following the latest unrest in the northern city of Tripoli.
International figures voiced concern over the security situation in Lebanon, appealing for calm in the country following the latest unrest in the northern city of Tripoli.
On Tuesday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed concern that the Syrian crisis could spread to Lebanon.
He reiterated his fear that the Syrian violence may erupt into a “full-scale civil war.”
Following a meeting between Ban and new French President Francois Hollande on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Chicago, the UN press office wrote that Ban said the world is at "a pivotal moment in the search for a peaceful settlement to the crisis."
The statement said the UN Chief was "extremely troubled about the risk of an all-out civil war [in Syria] and was concerned about the outbreak of related violence in Lebanon," the UN statement said.
Earlier on Monday, Ban said he was "concerned by the tensions in Lebanon in recent days and calls on all parties to make every effort to restore calm," according to a statement released by his office.
Several areas in Lebanon witnessed high tension with roads being cut and gunshots heard after the killing of Sheikh Ahmed Abdul Wahid and one his bodyguards at a military checkpoint for the Lebanese army.
ASHTON CLOSELY FOLLOWING LEBANESE EVENTS
For her part, EU foreign policy Chief, Catherine Ashton, said she was "closely following the events in Lebanon and is deeply concerned at the outbreaks of violence in Tripoli and Beirut, which have led to the death of several persons and injury of dozens of others."
"These events must be duly investigated and followed by Lebanon's law enforcement authorities,” she added in a statement.
Ashton said she was "also concerned at the killing of two local dignitaries by soldiers of the Lebanese Armed Forces in the Akkar region. The circumstances of their death must be promptly investigated and appropriate measures taken that respect the rule of law."
On the other hand, UN special coordinator for Lebanon Derek Plumbly also voiced concern about the conflict and called on all parties to stop fighting.
"Differences must be addressed through dialogue, not resort to violence," he said in a statement.
UN spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters in New York that Plumbly was in contact with all parties in Lebanon's government, adding it would include Hezbollah.
