UN Secretary-General underlined the UN’s devotion to Lebanese crisis-plagued country. Antonio Guterres encouraged Beirut to hold legislative elections according to the schedule next year.
“We encourage Lebanon to construct a social compact, improve its foreign relations, and reform in collaboration with civil society and the commercial sector,” Guterres said during a talk with PM Najib Mikati of Lebanon today.
Lebanon, according to Mikati, is dedicated to its stance in separating itself from international disagreements and wars. The global community keeps pushing Beirut to undertake basic financial and structural changes. This aimed at reducing unnecessary expenditure and build a transparent system to minimize the corruption.
The arrival of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres occurs as Lebanon battles with severe political stalemate and a financial collapse. The package has pushed more the 60% of the country into destitution. Beirut is battling to retain track of its currency, which has plummeted almost 90% since 2019.
Lebanon, according to the PM, desperately requires more support, particularly a financial aid program for almost millions of households. He also requested assistance from the global society in assisting Syrian Asylum seekers to return home. Syrian refugees, according to Guterres, have had financial, societal, and “safety” consequence for Lebanon.
Furthermore, Guterres referred to the burden the Beirut took to diminish the sufferings of Syrians who fled the ISIS fighters. “we saw Lebanon opening its borders, even though larger countries closed theirs, and this reflects the Lebanese generosity,” he explained.
Nabih Berri also talked about Tel Aviv’s breaches of Lebanon’s airspace and delayed maritime boundary discussions in his meeting with Guterres. The UN Secretary General He also visited six important Muslim and Christian religious figures, including Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian, the Sunni Grand Mufti, and Cardinal Bechara Rai, the leader of the Maronite church in Lebanon.
Guterres in Beirut; How Important Is It?
UN Secretary General arrived in Beirut to follow up on a number of topics, most notably the financial recession, changes, and safety. Later on Sunday, he met President Michel Aoun at Baabda Palace. Guterres stated that he will visit with a number of political and religious leaders and activists following the conference.
“My objective is to discuss how we can best support the Lebanese people to overcome the current economic and financial crisis, and to promote peace, stability, and sustainable development,” Guterres explained about the reasons behind his visit.
Guterres also emphasized the necessity of supporting the Lebanese military factions and other national institutions, as well as UN soldiers stationed in the southern region. He also urged the global society to provide help to Lebanon, claiming that just a little over 10% of the UN’s humanitarian assistance program for the country had been financed. “But the Lebanese people also expect their political leaders to restore the economy, provide a functioning government and state institutions, end corruption and safeguard human rights,” Guterres suggested.
Due to political squabbles surrounding Judge Tarek Bitar, Lebanon’s newly constituted cabinet under Mikati has not seen stability ever since formation. The judge is in charge of the inquiry into the Beirut port explosion and the violent skirmishes in Tayyouneh in mid-October. Mikati’s conflicts also include an ongoing political dispute with some Arab States Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.
Guterres also encouraged the Lebanese government to hold legislative elections according to the timetable in three months. Lebanese conflicts, however, seem far from resolution seeking mere words as the strategy.
A series of foreign interventions seeking to meddle in local affairs has seen Beirut disintegrated in recent years. Guterres may be able to help if he make the foreign assistance less relying on political and security interventions.
