Vietnam has called on all parties in Lebanon and in the region to abide by the basic principles of international law, not interfere in the internal affairs of states and restrain from activities that may escalate tension or worsen the situation in the western Asian nation.

(From left) Speaker of the Parliament of Lebanon Nabih Berri, President Michel Aoun
and Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri at a meeting to discuss the formation of a government
in Beirut on October 22, 2020 (Photo: AFP/VNA)

The call was made by Counsellor Minister, Deputy Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN Nguyen Phuong Tra at a discussion of the UN Security Council on October 28 on the implementation of the council’s Resolution 1559 regarding Lebanon and the operation of Committee 751.

The Vietnamese representative expressed concern about difficulties facing Lebanon and impact of the crisis in the country to the implementation of the resolution.

Vietnam proposed that the UN Security Council and the UN encourage Lebanon’s leaders to soon form a government to lead the country through the current difficult period.

It also called on the international community to continue supporting Lebanon, especially in enhancing the capacity for the future government and providing humanitarian aids to vulnerable groups such as women, children, the elderly and refugees.

According to UN Deputy Secretary General Rosemary DiCarlo, the situation in Lebanon has not seen positive developments, while the country is facing economic difficulties, increased poverty and unemployment. The country’s sovereignty and territories have continued to be violated.

Resolution 1559 was adopted by the UN in 2004, calling for respect to Lebanon’s sovereignty and international integrity.
Meanwhile, the UN Security Council also listened to a report of Committee 751.

The report said that Panel of Experts coordinator highlighted several issues, including the Panel’s relations with the Federal Government of Somalia, Al-Shabaab financing, sanctions listings, the arms embargo and the improvised explosive devices components ban, the charcoal ban, and the humanitarian situation in Somalia.

Committee members welcomed the continued development in the Panel’s relations with the Government and praised the high quality of the Panel’s report, in particular the section analysing Al-Shabaab’s revenue sources, storage and transfer methods, and illegal taxation systems.

The Committee was initially established pursuant to Resolution 751 (1992) concerning Somalia on 24 April, 1992, to oversee the general and complete arms embargo imposed by Security Council resolution 733 (1992). From 1992, the UN Security convenes meetings every four months to listen to reports on the committee’s operations.