BEIRUT: Interim U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Robert Watkins discussed Friday U.N. resolution 1701 with Hezbollah official Ammar Musawi.

“We had a very good discussion about the situation in Lebanon, particularly related to the implementation of resolution 1701,” Watkins said in a statement released following the meeting with Musawi, head of Hezbollah’s International Relations Department.

U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, which calls for a cessation of hostilities between Lebanon and Israel, was passed in August 2006, helping to end a month-long military conflict between the two countries.

“We discussed the areas where 1701 has worked very well so far," added Watkins, "including the relative stability that has prevailed in south Lebanon, but also the requirements of 1701 that still have to be met in order to be able to move from the current cessation of hostilities to a permanent ceasefire.”

Watkins said he briefed Musawi on U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon’s visit to Lebanon, and the preparations for the U.N.'s next report on the implementation of resolution 1701.

He said the report will be submitted to the Security Council by the end of February. 

“I told Mr. Musawi that the Secretary-General expressed his expectation in all his meetings that Lebanon would continue to meet all its international obligations under all relevant Security Council resolutions,” Watkins said.

He said that talks also tackled the general situation in Lebanon and the region.

“I reiterated the U.N.’s hope that Lebanon would continue to seek to safeguard its stability and security, particularly in light of the developments taking place in the surrounding Arab world,” Watkins added.