Senior UN Lebanon envoy reports accord among key Security Council countries

Wrapping up a series of visits to the capitals of permanent members of the Security Council, a senior United Nations Lebanon envoy said today in China that there is agreement on major issues in the country’s further political progress.

“I had exceedingly good talks here in Beijing and I’m glad to say we see eye-to-eye on all the issues,” said Terje Roed-Larsen, Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s Special Envoy for the implementation of resolution 1559, which among other steps calls for an end to foreign influence in Lebanon.

“Based on what I have heard here in Beijing, as well as before in Moscow, London, Paris and Washington, I think we have the unanimous support of the permanent five members of the Council,” he added.

Mr. Roed-Larsen, who heads next to the Middle East, met today with Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and other senior officials in Beijing.

Resolution 1559 also calls for the disarming and disbanding of militias in Lebanon and the holding of free and fair presidential elections. Last year, Syria complied with the text’s provision calling for the withdrawal of foreign forces from Lebanon.

Mr. Roed-Larsen is scheduled to hold talks with officials in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.