Ban Ki-moon endorses report of UN team assessing Lebanese border security

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon backs the recommendations contained in the report of the independent United Nations team tasked with assessing the monitoring of the Lebanese border with Syria, his spokesperson announced today.

Mr. Ban transmitted the report to the Security Council yesterday, Michele Montas told journalists, adding he “fully supports” the recommendations of the Lebanon Independent Border Assessment Team.

“It is clear that efforts are required from the Lebanese Government, with the support of the international community, to develop a more efficient system for border management in Lebanon,” Ms. Montas said.

“The Secretary-General also concurs with the recommendation that Syria should cooperate with the Lebanese authorities, noting that Syria has a shared responsibility in controlling its borders with Lebanon and in implementing [Security Council] resolution 1701,” which ended last year’s war between Hizbollah and the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF).

The five-member team, comprised of experts in border security, police, customs and military issues, was set up by Mr. Ban after a request from the Council in April. The team travelled to Lebanon late last month and spent several weeks holding consultations with Lebanese officials and bilateral partners already assisting the country on border monitoring and reviewing existing security arrangements.