Lebanon's Lahoud urges for Israeli implementation of UN resolution

Lebanese President Emile Lahoud urged Sunday for Israel's implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 due to lack of commitment from the Israelis who have kept blockade on Lebanon.

Lahoud made the call prior to a visit to Beirut by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, during which he would discuss with Lebanese leaders the deployment of around 15,000 UN peacekeeping troops in southern Lebanon, reported the official National News Agency (NNA).

The withstanding situation of the Israeli blockade on Lebanon, the remaining Israeli troops and artillery on occupied Lebanese ground and the delay in deployment of UNIFEL forces will maintain the fragility of the situation due to lack of commitment from the Israelis in implementing the resolution 1701, Lahoud was quoted as saying.

He stated that prior to Annan's anticipated visit to Lebanon on Monday, "I am interested in pointing out several issues: first, Lebanon has committed to implementing 1701 resolution and has sent the army to the south , whereas Israel did not implement her side of the bargain by lifting the naval, air and ground blockade."

This implies "recklessness towards the UN Security Council's decisions and the international community's desires, said the Lebanese president, denouncing Israel for its aggressive intentions against Lebanon.

Lahoud pointed out that Israel withholding the mines maps they planted in the south presents a direct threat not only to the Lebanese citizens in the south or the Lebanese army deployed there but also to the UN forces present there.

"It is the United nations responsibility to force Israel to implement the resolution 1701," Lahoud urged, adding he would discuss the issue of Sheba farms with the UN secretary general as the current occupancy of Israeli troops in the farms are "negatively affecting the situation in the south."

Lahoud also stated that the government approved unanimously on the resolution 1701 with some reservation, one of which is the item that considers the resistance Hezbollah as the instigator of "escalation of the military acts in Lebanon, which resulted in huge loss of infrastructure and hundreds of thousands of refugees".

He said that Lebanon preserves the right to demand compensation from Israel that corresponds to the loss of lives and property, adding he considers this as a right of the Lebanese people that should be protected by the United Nations.

Lahoud call on the UN chief to send a specialized team to inspect the damage inflicted by Israeli naval, air and ground attacks that provide the evidence of the use of weaponry that are banned by international agreements mainly Geneva conventions agreements.

Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah broke out fighting on July 12 after two Israeli soldiers were captured and eight others killed by the Lebanese Shiite group in cross-border attacks.

The 34-day-long conflict, which caused over 1,000 Lebanese and 157 Israelis killed in addition to huge property damages and economic losses of both sides, came to a cease-fire on Aug. 14 thanks to the UN Resolution 1701.

Source: Xinhua