In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mr. Ban “notes positively the decisions to begin the process to establish diplomatic relations through an exchange of ambassadors, and to take steps towards the delineation and control of the borders between the two countries.”

He encouraged both parties to begin implementing these decisions as soon as possible, in keeping with Security Council resolutions 1680 and 1701, both from 2006.

Yesterday, both the Secretary-General and the Security Council condemned a deadly bombing in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli, voicing hope that it will not impede recent political progress in the Middle Eastern nation.

Mr. Ban “believes this attack should not hinder the positive steps that have been taken to return the country to normalcy,” according to a statement.