Senior UN envoy meets with Lebanese Prime Minister

A senior United Nations envoy met with Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora today and conveyed to him Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s strong support for the establishment of diplomatic relations between Lebanon and Syria.

Mr. Ban is following this issue with very close interest, UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Michael Williams said after the meeting.

Mr. Williams added that Mr. Ban was also very encouraged by the national dialogue on a defence strategy that Lebanese leaders have engaged on this year and by the reconciliation initiatives that have taken place in Lebanon in recent weeks.

Last month Mr. Ban welcomed the move by Syria and Lebanon to establish full diplomatic relations as a “landmark event” that will benefit both countries.

“This joint effort between two nations reinforces the sovereignty, stability and political independence of the Lebanese State in accordance with the Taif Accord and relevant Security Council resolutions,” he said in a statement, referring to the agreement that ended Lebanon’s long-running civil war.