BEIRUT: The United Nations emphasized Thursday the need to avoid any tragedy taking place on the Israel-Lebanon border, as Lebanon’s Palestinians prepare to commemorate the 1967 Middle East war, or Naksa.
“We can't afford to see the recurrence of the tragedy that took place on May 15. We fully respect the Palestinian people's right to demonstrate and demand their rights, but we do not want to repeat what happened,” U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Michael Williams said after a meeting with Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati, the latter's press office said.
During the meeting, Mikati said he contacted security officials regarding the protest Sunday, and expressed his hope for stability in the south and for Israel not to attack demonstrators or violate Lebanon's sovereignty, Mikati's press office said.
On May 15, Israeli forces killed 11 demonstrators when Palestinians marched to the Israel-Lebanon border. The Palestinians had been participating in a rally in Maroun al-Ras commemorating Nakba Day - the establishment of Isreal in 1948 which saw the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from their homeland.
The two officials also discussed U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 Lebanon-Israel war.
“I also emphasized that Lebanon’s commitment to 1701 must be accompanied by additional efforts with regards to the remaining parts of the resolution. In this regard, I stressed the need at this volatile time for all parties to respect the Blue Line,” Williams said.
The meeting also touched upon last Friday’s bomb attack on members of the Italian contingenct belonging to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which left six Italian peacekeepers wounded.
“Despite the terrorist attack, UNIFIL remains committed to the mission in south Lebanon as are all other U.N. agencies operating in the country,” Williams added.
The U.N. envoy reiterated the need for officials to swiftly form a new Lebanese Cabinet, which would help alleviate security concerns and be able to face the country’s economic and social challenges.
Lebanon has been under a caretaker government since the collapse of Prime Minister Saad Hariri's Cabinet in mid-January. Mikat was appointed prime minister-designate but has so far failed to form a new government.