Secretary-General says Lebanon's elections testify to progress in
south
5 September -- Secretary-General Kofi Annan today congratulated
the Government of Lebanon on its recent parliamentary elections, which
for the first time in 20 years included the southern part of the country.
"The holding of these elections is a testament to the significant progress the Government of Lebanon has made in re-establishing its effective authority in the South, and further serves to strengthen democracy in Lebanon," the Secretary-General's spokesman, Fred Eckhard, said in a statement released today at UN Headquarters. The statement noted that the two rounds of parliamentary elections had offered residents of the South their first chance to vote in over 20 years.
Lebanon began restoring its authority in the area on 9 August with the deployment of its security forces following Israel's withdrawal in fulfilment of a 1978 Security Council resolution.
In a related development, the Secretary-General told a news conference today that Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon represented a "significant shift" in the region because, "for the first time, a UN resolution was implemented" on withdrawal from land in the Middle East.
Noting that Prime Minister Barak - who Mr. Annan met with yesterday
- had indicated his determination for peace, the Secretary-General cautioned
that the time for progress was running short, given the duration of United
States President Bill Clinton's term, Israel's political calendar, and
Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat's concerns. He expressed
the hope, however, that the sides would be able to move a step further
at this week's talks. "I will continue to offer my own support - whatever
I can do as Secretary-General - to move the process forward," Mr. Annan
said.
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