In a statement issued by his Spokesperson in New York, the UN chief encouraged Lebanon's political leaders to build on the constructive engagement which led to the formation of the new Government to ensure that the country's forthcoming presidential election is successfully conducted within the timeframe set by law.
“The Secretary-General pays tribute to outgoing Prime Minister Najib Mikati for his leadership,” said the statement, which added that the UN looks forward to working with the new Government in its efforts to serve the people of Lebanon and to ensure the effective implementation of Security Council resolution 1701 and other resolutions which remain essential to the country's stability.
Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war between Israel and the Lebanese group Hizbollah, calls for respect for the Blue Line, the disarming of all militias in Lebanon, and an end to arms smuggling in the area.
In the statement, Mr. Ban emphasizes that, given the severity of the security, humanitarian and economic challenges facing Lebanon, it will be important for the Government to be able, without delay, to act effectively to address such issues with the full support of all parties.
un.org
15/2/14
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- Formation of New Government in Lebanon. -Press Statement, John Kerry, Secretary of State....
"The United States welcomes Lebanon’s formation
of a new government, subject to the confidence of parliament. We have
long said that the people of Lebanon deserve a government that responds
to their needs and protects their interests.
We look to today’s announcement to be an important first step in addressing the political uncertainty that has hampered Lebanon in recent years. Amidst growing terrorism and sectarian violence, we look to the new cabinet, if approved by parliament, to address Lebanon’s urgent security, political and economic needs. The challenges ahead for Lebanon include addressing the needs of Lebanese communities hosting refugees from Syria; strengthening national institutions; countering extremist ideologies and redoubling counterterrorism efforts; encouraging economic growth, including offshore energy development; and holding presidential and parliamentary elections in a timely, transparent, democratic, and fair manner, in accordance with Lebanon’s constitution.
The United States reiterates its strong commitment to Lebanon’s sovereignty, security, and stability. We will continue to support the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Internal Security Forces – the sole legitimate security forces in Lebanon. We look to the Government of Lebanon to continue to support these institutions and to do all it can to ensure that all parties comply with Lebanon’s obligations and commitments, including UN Security Council Resolutions 1559 and 1701. All those in Lebanon must uphold the Taif Agreement and the Baabda Declaration, including Lebanon’s policy of disassociation from the Syrian and other foreign conflicts. This policy is the best way to ensure Lebanon’s stability and security.
The United States looks forward to working effectively with the new Lebanese government to bolster peace, stability and prosperity in Lebanon, for the sake of the Lebanese people."
http://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2014/02/221691.htm
15/2/14
We look to today’s announcement to be an important first step in addressing the political uncertainty that has hampered Lebanon in recent years. Amidst growing terrorism and sectarian violence, we look to the new cabinet, if approved by parliament, to address Lebanon’s urgent security, political and economic needs. The challenges ahead for Lebanon include addressing the needs of Lebanese communities hosting refugees from Syria; strengthening national institutions; countering extremist ideologies and redoubling counterterrorism efforts; encouraging economic growth, including offshore energy development; and holding presidential and parliamentary elections in a timely, transparent, democratic, and fair manner, in accordance with Lebanon’s constitution.
The United States reiterates its strong commitment to Lebanon’s sovereignty, security, and stability. We will continue to support the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Internal Security Forces – the sole legitimate security forces in Lebanon. We look to the Government of Lebanon to continue to support these institutions and to do all it can to ensure that all parties comply with Lebanon’s obligations and commitments, including UN Security Council Resolutions 1559 and 1701. All those in Lebanon must uphold the Taif Agreement and the Baabda Declaration, including Lebanon’s policy of disassociation from the Syrian and other foreign conflicts. This policy is the best way to ensure Lebanon’s stability and security.
The United States looks forward to working effectively with the new Lebanese government to bolster peace, stability and prosperity in Lebanon, for the sake of the Lebanese people."
http://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2014/02/221691.htm
15/2/14
Lebanon forms new government after months of political deadlock...
ReplyDeleteTammam Salam takes up office as prime minister, with hopes for presidential and parliamentary elections in coming months.
Lebanon has announced the formation of a new government, breaking a 10-month political deadlock in the country.
In a television address on Saturday, the incoming prime minister, Tammam Salam, said he hoped the new government would allow presidential elections to be held before the incumbent Michel Suleiman's term ends in May and to press ahead with parliamentary elections that were postponed last year.
A caretaker government has run the country since former prime minister Najib Mikati resigned in March 2013.
"A government in the national interest was formed in a spirit of inclusivity," said Salam. "I extend my hand to all the leaders and I am relying on their wisdom to reach these goals and I call on all of them together to make concessions in the interest of our national project."
Parliament designated Salam as prime minister in April 2013, but he had been unable to form a cabinet for months due to rivalries between the Hezbollah-dominated March 8 bloc and the March 14 alliance, led by the Sunni Future Party, a power struggle exacerbated by support for opposing sides in Syria's civil war.
Salam said his "national interest government" had a mandate to fight mounting security problems, which he linked to Syria.
"We must also deal with our complicated economic and social issues, the most important of which is the growing number of refugees from our Syrian brothers and the burdens this has placed on Lebanon," he said.
Sectarian violence has erupted sporadically in the past year, particularly in the north, and car bombings targeting both security and political targets have increased dramatically, with Hezbollah-dominated areas being the most frequent target.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/15/lebanon-forms-new-government-salam
15/2/14
Le Liban a enfin un gouvernement....
ReplyDeleteDans un contexte tendu par le conflit en Syrie, le gouvernement réunit pour la première fois depuis trois ans le Hezbollah chiite et la coalition menée par l’ex-Premier ministre Saad Hariri.
C’est un gouvernement de compromis qui vient d’être formé au Liban, après un blocage de près d’un an entre camps rivaux, exacerbé par le conflit en Syrie voisine qui divise profondément le pays.
« Après dix mois d’efforts, de patience (...), un gouvernement préservant l’intérêt national est né », a affirmé le nouveau Premier ministre Tammam Salam, après l’annonce de la liste des 24 ministres. « C’est un gouvernement rassembleur et c’est la meilleure formule pour permettre au Liban de faire face aux défis », a ajouté Tammam Salam, désigné depuis avril 2013.
Le gouvernement, formé dans un contexte de violences intermittentes dans le pays, réunit pour la première fois depuis trois ans les deux camps rivaux : celui du puissant Hezbollah chiite, engagé militairement en Syrie aux côtés du régime de Bachar al-Assad, et la coalition menée par l’ex-Premier ministre Saad Hariri, qui soutient l’opposition syrienne.
La formation du gouvernement, longtemps attendue, avait été à plusieurs reprises avortée. Grâce à un compromis arraché après des négociations ardues, le gouvernement de 24 ministres accorde huit portefeuilles au camp du Hezbollah dont deux pour des membres du parti, huit à la coalition dite du « 14-mars » de Saad Hariri, dont l’Intérieur, et huit à des ministres proches du président Sleimane, considéré comme neutre, et du leader druze Walid Joumblatt, considéré comme centriste. Cette formule permet qu’aucun des deux principaux rivaux n’ait de veto sur les décisions gouvernementales.
Sauver le pays de l’instabilité
Le 21 janvier, Saad Hariri s’était dit prêt à participer à un gouvernement comprenant des membres du Hezbollah, un revirement par rapport à ses précédentes déclarations hostiles au parti chiite. Selon des sources proches du 14-mars, Saad Hariri a fait une grande concession en acceptant de participer à ce gouvernement avec le Hezbollah, un parti qu’il accuse d’être derrière l’assassinat de son père, le dirigeant Rafic Hariri. Cinq membres du puissant parti armé sont en effet jugés par contumace près de La Haye pour l’assassinat de Rafic Hariri, tué le 14 février 2005 dans un attentat à Beyrouth.
Il avait justifié sa décision en affirmant que c’était pour sauver le pays de l’instabilité exacerbée par le conflit syrien. Après l’annonce du gouvernement, Saad Hariri a félicité le nouveau Premier ministre et espéré que la formation de son cabinet soit « un pas positif pour le Liban et les Libanais (...) dans cette période décisive dans l’histoire du pays ».
Saad Hariri avait dû également retirer la candidature au poste clé de l’Intérieur de son favori, le général à la retraite Achraf Rifi, ancien chef influent de la police libanaise et bête noire du parti chiite, qui a opposé son veto. C’est le général Rifi et son équipe qui ont mené des enquêtes ayant abouti à des données impliquant des membres du Hezbollah dans l’assassinat de Rafic Hariri.............http://www.lesechos.fr/economie-politique/monde/actu/0203319191925-le-liban-a-enfin-un-gouvernement-650751.php?xtor=RSS-2059
15/2/14