Williams Meets Hariri, Aoun: U.N. Expects New Cabinet to Continue on Respecting International Obligations

U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Michael Williams stressed on Tuesday the importance of the new government respecting Lebanon’s international obligations.

He said after holding talks with caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri: “I told the Prime Minister that the United Nations expects the new government , once it is formed and irrespective of its composition, to meet the aspiration of all Lebanese people and to continue to respect Lebanon’s international obligations.”

“The Prime Minister and I agreed that the situation in Lebanon was calm and should remain calm and stable while we await the formation of a new government,” he continued.

“I also reiterated the position of the United Nations that dialogue remains a necessity between all Lebanese parties to resolve difficulties and problems that divide them,” he said.

The meeting also addressed the developments in the Arab world.

Williams also informed Hariri that he will head to New York later this month for the Security Council briefing on Lebanon and resolution 1701.

He added: “I also met this morning with FPM leader MP Michel Aoun to discuss the regional and domestic situation.”

The talks also addressed the implementation of U.N. Security Council resolution 1701, drilling for oil in the Mediterranean, and demarcating the Lebanese-Palestinian border.

On Monday, the U.N. official held a meeting with House Speaker Nabih Berri, during which he stressed the importance of dialogue in settling Lebanese disputes.

He said: "The Speaker and I were in full agreement that irrespective of the differences that may exist internally within Lebanon, dialogue remains the only and most important tool for the Lebanese to resolve their problems."

The two officials also discussed the implementation of resolution 1701 and drilling for oil, as well as local and regional developments.

"I stressed that the U.N. supports Lebanon's right to take advantage of all the resources that may be found within its territorial waters and in Lebanon's Exclusive Economic Zone," Williams stated.

"The Speaker attaches great importance to this and we at the United Nations are trying to see a way forward for the U.N. to be engaged and to try and prevent this issue being a source of conflict in any way between Lebanon and its neighbors," he continued.