Lebanese president, premier meet with UN envoy Larsen
Lebanon-UN, Politics, 5/5/2000

Lebanese President Emile Lahoud and Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss told the UN secretary general's delegate, Terje Larsen, on Thursday during their meeting at the Baabda palace about Lebanon's position concerning the Israeli withdrawal, stressing Lebanon's commitment to UN resolutions 425 and 426 in spirit and content and Lebanon's readiness to cooperate with the UN general secretariat to precisely implement the two resolutions.

Lahoud stressed that the implementation of the two UN resolutions requires Israel's full and unconditional withdrawal its forces to the internationally- recognized borders which were demarcated in 1923 with Palestine.

President Lahoud stressed that Israel's complete withdrawal from south Lebanon should also include Shabaa farms and that any violation of these borders means that Israel has not withdrawn according to UN resolutions 425 and in this case its retreat means redeployment rather than withdrawal.

Meanwhile, Larsen said that he will hold a third round of talks with the Lebanese president and prime minister today.

In a statement following the end of the second round of talks with Lebanese officials, Larsen expressed the hope of the UN that the implementation of UN resolutions 425 and 426 will be followed by the implementation of UN resolutions 338 and 242 to achieve peace in the Middle East.

He added that he had discussed several complicated issues with Lebanese officials, but he said he could not go into detail, awaiting for the conclusion of the talks.

He stressed that his talks with Lebanese officials were comprehensive, direct and clear on the need for commitment to work together to achieve a just and comprehensive peace in south Lebanon.

He stressed that the UN secretary general has to make sure that the withdrawal will be complete and that the UN has the responsibility to help in attaining security and stability following the withdrawal and to help the Lebanese government spread its authority on south Lebanon.

Larsen described the talks with President Lahoud and Prime Minister al-Hoss as charged but held in fraternal atmospheres.

Previous Stories:
  Nasrallah: Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon a result of resistance effort   (4/29/2000)
  Al-Hoss: we will not accept any arrangements for Israel's withdrawal   (4/28/2000)
  UN special envoy visits Middle East   (4/27/2000)

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