United Nations published this video item, entitled “Lebanon, Middle East, Libya & other topics – Daily Press Briefing (21 December 2021)” – below is their description.
Noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
– Lebanon
– Deputy Secretary-General’s Travels
– Middle East
– Libya
– Ethiopia
– Yemen
– Myanmar
– Iran
– COVID-19
LEBANON
The Secretary-General spoke to the press in Beirut today, and he said that it grieves him to see the people of Lebanon suffering so much. Despite the strains they endure, he added, the warmth and generosity of the Lebanese people continues to shine.
He said that free and fair parliamentary elections, held on time in 2022, will be an essential opportunity for the people to make their voices heard. He added that the international community must be ready to substantially increase its solidarity with Lebanon in the implementation of the needed reforms to stabilize the economy and address the basic needs of the Lebanese people.
The Secretary-General earlier today visited the Headquarters of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and met with peacekeepers. The Force Commander, Major General Stefano Del Col, briefed him on the mission’s work in south Lebanon.
During the visit, Secretary-General Guterres noted that the parties’ commitment to the full implementation of Security Council resolution 1701 and maintaining the cessation of hostilities across the Blue Line is essential. He said it is very important that the parties understand that any conflict in this situation could be a tragedy with unpredictable consequences.
At the same time, he said, it would be important for the parties to negotiate some aspects in which there are still some doubts about the exact position of the Blue Line together with the negotiation about the maritime border, and it is essential that both sides abstain in relation to any violation of the agreements.
The Secretary-General praised UNIFIL’s role in south Lebanon as “the symbol of stability in an unstable region,” and he commended the peacekeepers for their work.
While in south Lebanon, Mr. Guterres held meetings with young peacekeepers, women, and civil society leaders. He also toured a section of the Blue Line and saw first-hand the work UNIFIL peacekeepers do, in coordination with the Lebanese Armed Forces, to maintain stability in the UN mission’s area of operations and along the 120-km Line.
The Secretary-General will leave Lebanon tomorrow morning.
DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL’S TRAVELS
The Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, wrapped up her visit to Costa Rica yesterday.
She reaffirmed that the United Nations belongs to young people, urging States and societies to listen to their voices and ensure their participation in decisions towards protecting the planet.
While in Costa Rica, Ms. Mohammed met with the President, Carlos Alvarado, and other top officials to discuss how to protect the environment, as well as how to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
Her visit also highlighted Costa Rica’s commitment to climate action, environmental protection, human rights, social protection and sustainable development and the country’s leadership in mobilizing development finance for middle-income countries and achieving debt relief, especially in the context of COVID-19.
MIDDLE EAST
Tor Wennesland, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, briefed the Security Council this morning and expressed his continued concern over recent developments in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and in particular the deteriorating security situation.
If left unchecked, he said, he is concerned that not only may the situation in the West Bank further deteriorate, but these dynamics could also impact the security situation in Gaza and undermine the cessation of hostilities that has held there since May. It is crucial that all parties take immediate steps to lower tensions and restore calm, he added.
The Special Coordinator said that since 29 September, 12 Palestinians, including one woman and four children, were killed by Israeli security forces. Thirty-nine Palestinians, including four children, were injured by Israeli settlers or other civilians. And two Israeli civilians were killed and 39 Israelis, including civilians and security forces, were injured by Palestinians.
Mr. Wennesland said that the rising levels of violence we have seen in recent weeks should be a clear warning to us all. If left unaddressed, he said, they will drag us into yet another destructive and bloody round of violence. We must act now to prevent that from happening.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=21%20December%202021
United Nations YouTube Channel
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