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U.N.'s Annan Calls on Syria, Iran To End Hizballah Support

21 April 2006

U.S. Ambassador Bolton says report is important step forward

By Judy Aita
Washington File United Nations Correspondent

United Nations – Secretary-General Kofi Annan again has called on Syria and Iran to stop interfering in Lebanon.

In a written report to the Security Council April 18, Annan also repeated "with urgency" that Security Council call on Syria to take measures to stop the illegal movement of weapons and people into Lebanon.

U.S. Ambassador John Bolton said the "secretary-general's report is an important step forward in demonstrating the importance of Iranian interference in Lebanese internal affairs."

"By saying specifically that Syria and Iran have to be involved in ceasing their internal disruption in Lebanon is an important step forward," Bolton said.

The report, which was written by the secretary-general's special envoy Terje Roed-Larsen, says that Hizballah, the Lebanese militant group, "maintains close ties, with frequent contacts and regular communication" with Syria and Iran.

"I also urgently call on all parties who have the ability to influence Hizballah and other militias to support" their disarmament and disbanding, Annan said.

Annan said that with Security Council support and "the necessary cooperation of Syrian and Iran" Lebanon can overcome the difficulties of the past and have stability, unity, political independence, and full control of its territory.

He also called on Syria to establish diplomatic ties with Lebanon and delineate the border between the two countries.

Diplomatic representation, he said, is the most appropriate way to address any bilateral tension and will contribute to improving the bilateral relationship between the two historically close neighbors.

Lebanon has offered "an out-stretched hand ... I call on Syria to accept this offer and undertake measures ... to establish embassies and delineate the border between Syrian and Lebanon," Annan said.

The report is the third on the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1559, passed October 19, 2004. (See related article.)

Resolution 1559 calls for the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Lebanon; disbanding and disarmament of all militias; the extension of the government's control over all Lebanese territory; and strict respect of the sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity, and political independence of Lebanon.

The Security Council also is continuing to pressure Syria to cooperate on the investigation into the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri. (See related article.)

For addition information on U.S. policy in the region, see Middle East and North Africa.

(The Washington File is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)