UNSC urges formation of ‘unity government’ in Lebanon

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has expressed optimism about the recent election of Michel Aoun as the new Lebanese president, voicing hope that the development would help resolve the political crises in the Mediterranean country.

The 15-member UNSC on Tuesday urged the new Lebanese president and other members of the political elite to swiftly form a new “unity government” and work constructively to promote peace and stability in Lebanon.

The 81-year-old Michel Aoun, who is a strong ally of Lebanon’s Hezbollah resistance movement, was elected president by the Lebanese parliament on Monday.

The UNSC insisted that creating a unity government and holding general elections for a legislative assembly by May 2017 were two vital developments that had to be addressed for establishing stability in the country.

The UNSC invited the Lebanese political parties to act in harmony to ensure the government’s ability to address the growing security, economic, social and humanitarian challenges facing the country.

The UN body also reiterated its support for the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Sigrid Kaag.

The UNSC then called on the international community to continue extending their support to the Lebanese government to tackle the economic, security and humanitarian challenges it is confronted with.

Lebanon had been without a president from April 23, 2014 to October 31, 2016.

After the election, Aoun vowed in a speech to the parliament that he would spare no effort in trying to bring about the liberation of Lebanese territories occupied by Israel.

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