UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres urges Lebanese leaders to form a government without further delay in a report he has just submitted to the Security Council, in which he also reiterates his call for Hezbollah to refrain from any military activity.
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"
It is high time that the Lebanese leaders assume their responsibilities and form a government capable of undertaking the necessary reforms to respond urgently to the needs and aspirations of the Lebanese people
", he underlines in this document obtained on Friday by the 'AFP. "
Frustration with the political paralysis and the economic crisis is already manifesting itself in the demonstrations and could lead to further violence, jeopardizing the stability of the country,
" warns Antonio Guterres. "
In the face of such desperation, I urge the Lebanese leadership to act in the interest of the Lebanese people and to face the dire situation facing the country effectively and without further delay.
», He insists. The Lebanese political class has been mired in endless negotiations on the distribution of portfolios for more than eight months and the explosion at the port of Beirut which has left more than 200 dead, blamed by the streets on the incompetence and corruption of the leaders . "
An impartial, thorough and transparent investigation into the explosion of the port of Beirut in accordance with the demands of the Lebanese people in matters of responsibility is of the utmost importance,
" he said in this regard.
The UN chief also calls in his report "
once again Hezbollah (Lebanese Shiite movement) and all other parties concerned not to engage in any military activity inside or outside Lebanon
". "
The widespread presence of weapons beyond state control, coupled with the existence of armed militias, continues to undermine security and stability in Lebanon,
" he argues. "
Hezbollah's maintenance of significant and sophisticated military capabilities beyond the control of the Lebanese government remains a matter of serious concern,
" he said. Antonio Guterres also calls on Israel to withdraw its forces deployed north of the Blue Line that separates this country from Lebanon, and "
immediately cease its overflights in Lebanese airspace
”.