UN: Annan Visits Beirut Over Lebanon Force

UN: Annan Visits Beirut Over Lebanon Force

PRAGUE, August 28, 2006 (RFE/RL) -- UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan is in Beirut today for talks focusing on the strengthened UN force for Lebanon. Among the issues on the agenda are the Lebanese government's demands that Israel lift its air and sea blockade and what to do about policing the Lebanese-Syrian border.

Annan's visit to Beirut comes just days after EU states vowed on August 25 to form the core of the new peacekeeping force for Lebanon, UNIFIL-2.

That gives the UN chief's visit some badly needed impetus after weeks of international wavering over who would lead or contribute to the force and the extent of its mandate.

Now, with France set to head the mission and concord that the troops can use force to preempt attacks against them, conditions are finally in place for the deployment to begin in earnest.

But there still is much unfinished business in the region -- including assuring that all parties will fully cooperate.

"I think it is important that I come here myself to discuss with the Lebanese authorities the aftermath of the war and the measures we need to take to implement the UN resolutions," Annan told journalists shortly after arriving in Beirut.

Prisoner Exchange

One key player, Hizballah, signaled ahead of Annan's arrival that its fighters will not oppose the deployment. But Hizballah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah also said he expects the international community to support his calls for a prisoner exchange with Israel.

"Some contacts have already been made, and some of these [contacts] have already taken place," Nasrallah said in a television interview on August 27.

"Italy seems to be trying to get involved in this issue. I think that the United Nations is interested and the negotiations would be through [Lebanese parliamentary speaker Nabih] Berri," Nasrallah added. "As for Mr. Kofi Annan, I have no problems to see him about this issue, but at this time my main concern is the security situation."

The Shi'ite militia's capture of two Israeli soldiers set off the Israeli-Hizballah war that ended two weeks ago. But Israel continues to rule out any prisoner exchange.

Annan has previously said both sides will have to make "painful compromises" to get what they want.

Ending Blockade

One issue much on the Lebanese government's mind is lifting the Israeli air and sea blockade of the country.

The August 14 UN Security Council resolution that ended the fighting called for a full reopening of Lebanon's ports and airport.

But Israel says it will keep its blockade in place until UN troops guard Lebanon's border with Syria to prevent resupplies of arms to Hizballah.

However, any such border deployment is unacceptable to Damascus. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has warned he would close the border in response. That is a grave threat, since the border is Lebanon's only land link to the outside world.

Regional Tour

In his efforts to talk with many of the region's parties, Annan also is due to visit southern Lebanon, Israel and the Palestinian territories, and Damascus on his tour.

Then, on September 2, he travels on to Iran, a major backer of Hizballah. There, however, the UN chief is expected not only to talk about Lebanon but about the Iranian nuclear crisis.

His visit to Tehran will come just two days after the expiration of the UN's August 31 deadline for Iran to suspend uranium enrichment.

So far, Iran has given no sign it will comply with the UN resolution of July 31 that set the deadline.

In Tehran today, President Mahmud Ahmadinejad reiterated that Iran will not surrender what it sees as its right to pursue peaceful nuclear technology.

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UN: Annan Visits Beirut Over Lebanon Force