1701 Implementation, Moussawi and Williams Meeting Concludes

Siraj Kobeissy

It's been a week or so, and Lebanon is still extremely busy with recent events which occurred in south Lebanon, between the international UNIFIL troops and southerner civilians.

Busy politicians, officials, representatives from Lebanon to UN and vice versa are getting together to seek a possible solution, stressing on the implementation of the sacred resolution 1701.

Hizbullah International Relations Officer, Ammar Moussawi received Thursday UN Secretary General Special coordinator for Lebanon, Michael Williams, where both discussed recent events in a one-hour private meeting.

Before he started discussing the details of his meeting with Hizbullah Foreign Affairs Official Ammar Moussawi, Michael Williams expressed his condolences on the recent death of Ayatollah Sayyed Mohammad Husein Fadlallah.

"I had the privilege of meeting with Sayyed Fadlallah several times over the last four years, and his loss is not just a loss for Muslims in Lebanon, but for people throughout the region", Mr. Williams expressed.

As he stepped into the atmosphere of the meeting, he described it was very good, revealing confidence that all agreements would be implemented from both parts.

"In my discussions today with Mr. Moussawi we discussed many issues, but principally the question of the implementation of resolution 1701, and the recent incidents in southern Lebanon", Michael Williams said.

"We agreed in our discussions that it is important to move forward now, and that there should be no recurrence of the incidents that have taken place. I will be going to New York next week to meet the Security Council, and I will be pleased if stability is returned to southern Lebanon", the Special Coordinator hoped.

Mr. Michael further revealed that Mr. Moussawi made it clear that Hizbullah remained committed to resolution 1701, underlining the importance of the coordination between UNIFIL and the Lebanese army forces, adding "We also agreed on the freedom of movement for UNIFIL", yet not precisely any conditions or rules for their movement.

At the end of his statement he emphasized, "We've had a good meeting today, thank you".

On the other hand, Hizbullah international relations officer Ammar Moussawi, said "I received Mr. Michael Williams, The UN Secretary General Special Coordinator for Lebanon in Beirut, and we discussed the latest developments, especially concerning recent incidents which were occurring in southern Lebanon, and which erupted people's worry and led to some tension".

Moussawi added, "There had been an agreement on the importance of coordination and cooperation in dealing with all these situations, on the base of restoring stability, which would be also dependent on the implementation of resolution 1701 for all parties".

Moqawama.org correspondent question to Moussawi was: Do you believe that what happened between the southerners and the UNIFIL could be explained that the UNIFIL does not understand the real concept of resolution 1701?

Answering the question, Hizbullah officer said, "We said that it is UNIFIL's and Lebanon's interest, that the UNIFIL would work in the framework of suitable environment, and this demands more understanding for the nature of local situations, and the southerners' sensitivities, and therefore a tougher commitment to the rules", stressing on the complete coordination with the Lebanese army.

Moqawama.org regarded that Paris did not oppose extending its troops' recruitment in the UNIFIL in Lebanon, yet there might be conditions.

Answering whether he had any stance in such situation, Moussawi said, "There will be no possibility for any condition, neither will be a chance to talk about changing the rules. Everyone should abide by resolution 1701, with all its articles, and that was agreed upon during the meeting with Mr. Michael Williams", Ammar Moussawi stressed.

The Lebanese Government is holding a meeting concerning this issue, in order to help avoid all possible tensions between international forces and the Lebanese civilians. Lebanon hoped that this situation would be resolved locally without any interference, yet France did not accept but to demand a UN Security Council meeting, in order to discuss the issue.

France for sure is rushing for this meeting, but finally agreed on postponing it till Friday, after the Lebanese envoy to the UN requested so. The French UNIFIL troops in Lebanon were in the lead between those erupting tensions with the Lebanese people in south Lebanon.

Hoping for a calmer situation, without any violations, and with tougher and more honest implementation of resolution 1701, which witnessed constant violations on the "Israeli" part, we do nothing but what we're used to, waiting!