YouSaid · the spoken record

Salam

lines on the record: 964
first: 2007-07-19
most recent: 2017-10-18
sittings or episodes: 144
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“Today we would like to renew that call and to underline that it is only by reinforcing its capacities that the Lebanese army will be able to fulfil its tasks in cooperation with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon in southern Lebanon, combat terrorism and maintain security and stability throughout the country. The events in Arsal are only the latest chapter in the Lebanese army's fight against terrorism. In that regard, my delegation is very grateful for the continued support that has been expressed for our army, particularly during the International Support Group for Lebanon's meetings in Paris, Rome and here in New York, on the margins of the General Assembly. Since the beginning of the conflict in Syria, the flow of refugees into Lebanon has continued unabated.”
2014-10-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7281 (2014) · source
“Let the lessons of Gaza spark a new beginning for the peace process, to bring a clear end to the Israeli occupation, help the State of Palestine achieve full independence and meanwhile ensure that its people have international protection. In that context, we applaud the decision by the Government of Sweden to recognize the State of Palestine, as well as the motion of the Parliament of the United Kingdom to that effect. Time and again, my Government has reiterated its commitment to the full implementation of resolution 1701 (2006) and has called on the international community to compel Israel to abide by its obligations under that resolution, withdraw from the remaining occupied Lebanese territories and end its violations of Lebanese sovereignty by land, air and sea.”
2014-10-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7281 (2014) · source
“More than 20 years ago, more than 20 years after the Oslo Accords and two years after United States Secretary of State John Kerry's renewed efforts to relaunch the peace talks, it is heart-wrenching to witness not only the drastic humanitarian situation in Gaza but how this body, which is entrusted with the maintenance of international peace and security, can still stand idle before the continued and repeated violations by Israel of its obligations under international law, from the rampant illegal settlement activities and evictions of Palestinians from their homes to the provocations and incitement by Israeli soldiers and settlers, in particular at Al-Haram Al-Sharif in occupied East Jerusalem.”
2014-10-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7281 (2014) · source
“Nothing can justify bombing United Nations shelters, homes, hospitals and universities. Nothing can justify depriving people of electricity and water." Realizing the enormity of the destruction, the international community pledged $5.4 billion at a Cairo Conference for the reconstruction of Gaza, and that generosity is indeed to be commended as well. No less important, however, is the fact that all participants in the Conference stressed the unavoidable importance of addressing the root causes of the conflict. The Secretary-General summed it up by saying that it was time to chart a course to ajust and final peace between Israelis and Palestinians, one that addresses all the outstanding issues.”
2014-10-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7281 (2014) · source
“More than 450,000 inhabitants of Gaza were forced to leave their homes, and 277 schools, 17 hospitals and clinics and more than 40,000 other buildings were damaged. All those who stood against the savage Israeli assault on Gaza and its dreadful methods of indiscriminate killing and wanton destruction of homes and property deserve to be commended. I should also add that it was particularly heartening to see an open letter published on 23 August in The New York Times in which 327 signatories from 26 countries, representing four generations of survivors and descendants of survivors and victims of the Holocaust, stated: "As Jewish survivors and descendants of survivors and victims of the Nazi genocide we unequivocally condemn the massacre of Palestinians in Gaza and the ongoing occupation and colonization of historic Palestine.”
2014-10-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7281 (2014) · source
“I would like to thank Argentina for organizing this timely meeting, and the Secretary-General for his comprehensive briefing as well as his efforts to address the situation in the Middle East. Three months ago, Israel launched its third major campaign ofcollective punishment against the 1,800,000 people of Gaza in less than six years. In July and August Israel's air force launched more than 6,000 attacks, and its army and navy fired about 50,000 artillery and tank shells, killing more than 2,100 Palestinians and wounding more than 11,000. The majority of those casualties were, as we all know, defenceless civilians, and it is estimated that more than half of them were children, women, the disabled and old people.”
2014-10-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7281 (2014) · source
“We take this opportunity to reaffirm that an Iraq with a firm foundation of national unity to safeguard its national, religious and cultural aspects will benefit not only Iraqis, but all Arab and Muslim peoples and, indeed, all of humankind. Lebanon has suffered and continues to suffer from terrorist acts, the latest ofwhich took place this morning against its armed forces in the region of Arsal, after the kidnapping of a number of its soldiers. Lebanon stands with all countries represented here, as it did recently in Jeddah and in Paris, in our common war against terrorism. This war will require the Council to help my country by supporting its armed forces, its economy and its national institutions.”
2014-09-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7271 (2014) · source
“Lebanon calls upon the Council to remain united and to advance further with the necessary international policies or decisions aimed at mobilizing the resources required to eliminate the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant and other, similar terrorist organizations. It must work to prevent terrorists from avoiding punishment and hold them accountable for their crimes. We all know that successful efforts to eliminate terrorism cannot be limited to military operations and financial measures, however important they may be. Such efforts will also require a comprehensive political, economic and social approach to deal with the roots of terrorism. We welcome the formation of a new Iraqi Government and the confirmed policy of openness and national unity. We expect the Council to provide it with all support necessary to succeed in its functions.”
2014-09-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7271 (2014) · source
“Today Iraq is in danger and that which threatens it also threatens our future and that of our countries, peoples and societies. A wave of blind terror has invaded parts of Iraq. If we do no act quickly to end it, it will spare no one inside or outside of Iraq, for it does not recognize countries, acknowledge their borders or accept their institutions. It is barbarism that knows no religion, ethics or values, although it pretends to follow Islam and hides behind its precepts. Muslims are innocent of it. It is obscurantist in its war on modernity and civilization and in its aggression against human rights and human dignity, as well as in its denial of the principle of freedom and the concept of difference. Lebanon appreciates the role of the Council in adopting resolution 2170 (2014) and today's presidential statement S/PRST/2014/20.”
2014-09-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7271 (2014) · source
“Mr. Salam (Lebanon) (spoke in Arabic): Just as Lebanon's present situation cannot be separated from the history of Mesopotamia, our common future is equally connected to the present situation in Iraq. That is by no means an exaggeration. There is a little bit of Iraq in each and every one of us. We eat what we harvest today because humankind discovered agriculture between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. We have treaties, constitutions and laws that govern our relations today because the oldest code of law known to humankind is that of King Hammurabi. And we acknowledge the importance of science, reason and culture in the progress of the human race because of the role played by Harun al-Rashid's Abbasid capital, Baghdad, in hosting scholars, philosophers and artists with their richly diverse creations.”
2014-09-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7271 (2014) · source
“Finally, the launching of the International Support Group for Lebanon in September was based on the consensus expressed in the presidential statement adopted in July by the Council (S/PRST/20l3/9), which stressed "the need for strong, coordinated international support for Lebanon to help it continue to withstand the multiple current challenges to its security and stability". In that respect, the Group also underlined the importance of Lebanon's policy of disassociation and the Baabda Declaration of 12 June 2012. Today, more than ever, such support is needed to help shield Lebanon from the spillover of the Syrian crisis and from my country being turned anew into a battlefield of regional rivalries and proxy wars.”
2014-01-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7096Resumption1 (2014) · source
“Time and again, the Council condemned those attacks and stressed the need to bring the perpetrators to justice. Lebanon expresses its deep appreciation for the Council's continued support for its stability and security. Furthermore, last week, the Council welcomed the beginning of the trial proceedings of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon and stressed the vital importance of combating impunity so as to strengthen the long- term stability and security in Lebanon. In turn, the President of the Republic of Lebanon, General Michel Sleiman, clearly stated that the start of the trials was a sure step towards uncovering the truth behind the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and would ensure that the perpetrators did not think that they could evade justice.”
2014-01-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7096Resumption1 (2014) · source
“The most recent ofthose letters was dated 9 January, when we submitted a complaint against Israel for launching electronic warfare on Lebanon. We informed the President ofthe Council that Israel had increased the number of sites, towers, antennas and other monitoring, espionage and surveillance devices installed along the Lebanese border. We called on the Council to assume its responsibilities in the maintenance of peace and security by condemning such blatant violations of international law and by taking the necessary measures to put an end to them. Recently, my country was also the victim of several terrorist attacks, from the targeting of the Iranian Embassy to the assassination of former Minister Mohamad Chatah, the car bomb in the southern suburbs of Beirut and the attack in Hermel.”
2014-01-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7096Resumption1 (2014) · source
“More importantly, on the eve of the date set for the second Geneva Conference on Syria, is it unrealistic to also hope that that same international leadership will be renewed to ensure the full implementation of the June 2012 Geneva communique and its action plan (S/2012/522, annex) in order to help fulfil the aspirations of the Syrian people and put an end to their ongoing ordeal? Despite all the challenges facing my country, Lebanon remains committed to the full implementation of resolution 1701 (2006) and stresses the need for the Council to act swiftly so as to put an immediate end to the systematic Israeli violations of Lebanon's sovereignty by land, air and sea. My delegation has kept the Council informed of those violations and has requested that its letters to that effect be circulated as official documents of the United Nations.”
2014-01-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7096Resumption1 (2014) · source
“That could allow for the dignified and gradual return of Syrian refugees from the host countries to their own nation. To all those who may believe that approach to be unrealistic, allow me to say the following. Aware of its humanitarian responsibilities and legal obligations, Lebanon has kept its borders open to all those fleeing the horrors of violence and destruction in Syria and will continue to do so. It is unrealistic here not to acknowledge that Lebanon can no longer cope alone with the pressures and burdens resulting from that situation. Moreover, since the Council succeeded in unanimously adopting resolution 2118 (2013) on the elimination of chemical weapons in Syria, is it unrealistic to hope that it could still show a similar commitment in addressing the humanitarian situation there?”
2014-01-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7096Resumption1 (2014) · source
“As the conflict unfolds in Syria, the flow of refugees into Lebanon continues unabated at an average rate of 3,000 a day. Months ago, the number of refugees exceeded 1 million, which is almost a quarter of the population of my country. Clearly, that has begun to have an existential dimension in Lebanon, which is the smallest of the host countries but has the highest number of refugees, whether in relation to the population of those countries or in absolute terms. The suffering of the Syrians in Syria must end, and the flow of Syrian refugees must stop. It is high time that the international community assume its humanitarian responsibilities and act with one voice so as to ensure humanitarian corridors for the delivery of aid to Syria and establish camps within Syria and on its borders.”
2014-01-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7096Resumption1 (2014) · source
“Let me turn now to another challenge facing the Council. Last week, on 15 January, at the second International Humanitarian Pledging Conference for Syria, hosted by the Government of Kuwait, the figures spoke for themselves with regard to the magnitude of the Syrian tragedy - over 120,000 people killed, including about 11,000 children; 9.6 million people in need of humanitarian assistance; 6.5 million internally displaced; and 2.2 million refugees in neighbouring countries. It is a humanitarian catastrophe that is unprecedented in recent history. Lebanon welcomes the generous pledges made during the Conference and will continue to work closely with the donor community to alleviate the suffering of the refugees and their host communities.”
2014-01-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7096Resumption1 (2014) · source
“While the Council remained silent, the roar of the Israeli bulldozers destroying Palestinian homes in Jerusalem and uprooting olive trees in the West Bank to pave the way for yet more settlements could be clearly heard. As has already been mentioned, the Israeli authorities announced earlier this month their intention to build 1,400 new housing units in the occupied territories. We are sure that you, Mr. President, realize that we are at a historic crossroads. To say the least, the future of the negotiations has undoubtedly been put in jeopardy by the unabated settlement activity. The silence of the Council does not serve the cause of peace. To save the prospects for peace in our part ofthe world, the Council ought to make itself heard. For the sake of peace, we urge it to act without delay.”
2014-01-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7096Resumption1 (2014) · source
“However, we also said - and I apologize for quoting from our own statement: "Still, let us state it loud and clear: the main danger facing such negotiations is the continuation of provocative Israeli actions capable of undermining them. To protect the negotiations, those actions ought to be completely stopped. Obviously, there is no better example of such actions than the unabated construction in the past months of Israeli settlements at an unprecedented rate, let alone the approval of new settlement units." (S/PV7007, p. 31) In October, we sounded the alarm anew, drawing the attention of the Council once more to the dangers of the unrelenting Israeli settlement activities to the prospects for the Palestinian-Israeli negotiations, and we called on the Council to condemn them in the strongest terms (see S/PV.7047).”
2014-01-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7096Resumption1 (2014) · source
“Mr. Salam (Lebanon) (spoke in Arabic): Allow me to start by congratulating Jordan on its assumption of the presidency of the Council for this month. I would also like to commend the Permanent Mission of France for its excellent stewardship ofthe Council in December. (spoke in English) Last July, when we spoke before this Council, we commended the efforts of United States Secretary of State John Kerry towards the resumption of the Palestinian-Israeli negotiations in the hope that they would lead to a just and lasting peace, which in our view can be based only on the principles and rules of international law, the relevant decisions of the United Nations, the Madrid terms of reference and the Arab Peace Initiative.”
2014-01-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7096Resumption1 (2014) · source
“In that regard, it is also clearly fitting to remind the Security Council that, on 19 July, the EU also issued a landmark directive barring cooperation with, and financial support to, Israeli entities and projects beyond the 1967 line in the occupied territories of the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights. It might be a small step, as many have said, in view of the guideline nature of the EU instrument, but it is indeed an important step in the right direction. We strongly welcome that development to ask whether or not it is high time for the Council to also send a similar message, indicating that continued occupation in violation of international law can no longer benefit from impunity.”
2013-07-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7007 (2013) · source
“Only Israel can put an end to the occupation, which is the key to everything else." Finally, reference has been made in today's meeting to the addition by the European Union (EU) of what it labeled "the military wing of Hizbullah" to its terrorist list. As expressed yesterday by President Michel Sleiman, my country hopes that the EU "will re-examine its position on the basis ofavoiding hasty decisions, of safeguarding the stability of Lebanon and of confirming the fundamental options under discussion in the national dialogue committee, mainly dealing with the terms of the Baabda Declaration and the presidential plan for a national defence strategy".”
2013-07-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7007 (2013) · source
“Obviously, there is no better example of such actions than the unabated construction in the past months of Israeli settlements at an unprecedented rate, let alone the approval of new settlement units, the latest being 1,169 units in June and approximately 900 so far this month. How, too, can we not mention the ongoing acts of land confiscation, attacks on property and settler violence? As to the prospects for the success of the negotiations, the issue was eloquently framed in an editorial in the leading Israeli paper, Ha'aretz, on 21 July: cc . the main responsibility for moving the talks ahead rests on Israel.”
2013-07-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7007 (2013) · source
“Turning now to the main subject of today's meeting, I would like to commend the efforts of the Secretary of State of the United States, Mr. John Kerry, for the resumption of the Palestinian-Israeli negotiations in the hope that they will lead to a just and lasting peace that, in our view, can only be based on the principles and rules of international law, the relevant decisions of the United Nations, the Madrid terms of reference and the Arab Peace Initiative. Still, let us state it loud and clear: the main danger facing such negotiations is the continuation of provocative Israeli actions capable of undermining them. To protect the negotiations, those actions ought to be completely stopped.”
2013-07-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7007 (2013) · source
“However, dissociation from the Syrian conflict could not and did not mean dissociating Lebanon from its responsibilities towards our Syrian brothers and its obligation under international law and international humanitarian law. As I told the Council last week, Lebanon will not close its borders, will not turn back refugees and will continue to provide assistance to them within available means (see S/PV.7000). Yet, let me stress once again that Lebanon will not be able, within its scarce and diminishing resources, to cope with the increasing influx of Syrian refugees by itself, hence our repeated appeal for the international community to share the burden and intensify direct support to Lebanon politically and financially.”
2013-07-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7007 (2013) · source
“On the situation in Syria, let me thank you, Madam President, for the concerns expressed in the Council's presidential statement regarding the "marked increase of cross-border fire from the Syrian Arab Republic into Lebanon" (S/PRST/2013/9), which violates my country's sovereignty and threatens to destabilize it. It is a well-known fact that since the beginning of the crisis in Syria, my country has adopted a policy of dissociation aimed at safeguarding Lebanon's internal unity and stability from regional conflicts, which is a policy that has been reaffirmed in the Baabda Declaration, adopted by the national dialogue committee on 11 June 2012.”
2013-07-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7007 (2013) · source
“Need I also remind the Council that Israel persists in violating the territorial integrity of my country by occupying the Shaba'a farms and Kfar Shuba Hills? Need I also remind the Council that Israel delays in even responding to the plan proposed by UNIFIL for ending Israel's occupation of the northern part of Ghajar? It is indeed high time that Israel withdraw from the remaining occupied Lebanese territories. Moreover, it is my privilege once again to recognize the determination of the troop-contributing countries and the men and women of UNIFIL and commend them for their tireless efforts in helping to maintain stability and security in southern Lebanon. Their determination matches Lebanon's commitment to the full implementation of resolution 1701 (2006).”
2013-07-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7007 (2013) · source
“(S/PRST/2013/9) While my delegation expresses its appreciation for the Security Council's reiterated calls for full respect of Lebanon's sovereignty, I stand before it today to remind the Council that the basic foundations of resolution 1701 (2006) and of that presidential statement are challenged on a daily basis by Israeli fighterjets. That is highlighted by the Secretary-General in paragraph 9 of his latest report (S/2013/381) on the implementation of resolution 1701 (2006), where he stated that, "[d]uring the period from 3 to 5 May alone, [the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)] counted 49 Israeli fighter jets violating Lebanese airspace". UNIFIL and my Government protested those violations - my Government did so in the strongest terms - and called for their immediate cessation.”
2013-07-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7007 (2013) · source
“Allow me to begin by thanking you, Madam President, for organizing today's timely meeting and to express my delegation's deep appreciation to Mr. Robert Serry for his comprehensive briefing. We meet today a few days after the adoption of a presidential statement, on 10 July in which all members around this table expressed "deep concern at all violations of Lebanon's sovereignty and call[ed] on all parties to fully respect Lebanon's sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity and political independence within its internationally recognized borders, in accordance with the relevant Security Council resolutions".”
2013-07-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7007 (2013) · source
“The solution to the problems of Syria does not lie there; what is needed is a peaceful Syrian-led political solution for a democratic future in which all Syrians live in security, equality and dignity" (SG/SM/I5162). I sincerely hope that the Council will live up to its responsibilities in helping to make such a solution possible.”
2013-07-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7000 (2013) · source
“No less vital is the need to secure direct funds to meet the needs of Lebanese host communities in assisting refugees. The Kuwait conference was a successful start and pledges have been generous, but we all need to ensure that pledges do not remain mere pledges and that all donors make good on them. Undoubtedly, an increase in the humanitarian assistance to the people of Syria is a matter of paramount urgency. Let me conclude, however, by quoting from Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon's appeal for the people of Syria, issued on the occasion of the beginning of this holy month of Ramadan: "[N]o matter how effective our humanitarian response, it will not end the violence.”
2013-07-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7000 (2013) · source
“However, Lebanon also believes that it is its right to ask every member of the international community to share with it the burdens of the Syrian refugee crisis, whether in terms of numbers or assistance - especially considering that Lebanon is the smallest of the host countries with the largest number of refugees, both in absolute terms and relative to its own population. Clearly, Lebanon cannot cope by itself with the immense tasks that lie ahead, as the number of refugees spirals. For a comprehensive and coordinated response to the current crisis, $1.7 billion is needed to fund Lebanon's part ofthe fifth Syria regional response plan, which covers the period from 1 January to 31 December 2013. Direct support to the Government of Lebanon for strengthening its national capacities and essential public services is crucial.”
2013-07-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7000 (2013) · source
“Yet, well aware of its humanitarian responsibilities and legal obligations, and in view of the historical and brotherly ties between the Lebanese and Syrian peoples, Lebanon reiterates before the Council today that it will not close its borders to those fleeing the horrors of violence and destruction. It will not extradite refugees who have sought safety on its territory. It will not stop delivering basic humanitarian assistance to any refugee as long as the means are available.”
2013-07-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7000 (2013) · source
“The Syrian refugee crisis also has broader implications for stability in Lebanon, and it has put significant pressure on local resources, leading to increases in security threats, the crime rate, social tensions and labour competition, since approximately 1.4 million Lebanese citizens are thought to be affected by the displacements from Syria. Beyond the fiscal cost, the influx of refugees has also strained public services in areas such as health and education. The pressures and threats on Lebanon are mounting and the escalating needs of the Syrian refugees have clearly outstripped my country's capacity.”
2013-07-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7000 (2013) · source
“Trade activities have been widely affected by the Syrian crisis, since traditional land transit routes through Syria have been severely disrupted, when not closed altogether, and insurance and freight costs have risen significantly. For example, between January and April of this year, cumulative exports through Syria dropped by 20 per cent. The tourism sector witnessed double-digit declines during 2011 and 2012, and the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia predicts an even larger decline in 2013, by around 25 per cent. Since tourism represents between 10 and 12 per cent of our gross domestic product (GDP), the impact of such a decline could lead to a 2.5 per cent drop in GDP from tourism alone.”
2013-07-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7000 (2013) · source
“In its spring 2013 Lebanon Economic Monitor, the World Bank noted that the Syrian conflict "is severely and negatively impacting the Lebanese economy. The largest impact arises through the insecurity and uncertainty spillovers and touches at the heart of Lebanon's societal fabric." In fact, in 2012 consumer confidence reached a new low, plunging by 36.8 percent as compared to 2011. As security incidents have continued to increase in 2013, we expect a further drop in consumer confidence, leading to slowed economic activity. Faced with uncertainty, private investment has also declined. Inflationary pressures are mounting.”
2013-07-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7000 (2013) · source
“It is also noteworthy that approximately 77 per cent of those refugees are women and children, and that 66 per cent are in northern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley, which are the regions closest to the Syrian border and also happen to be the poorest areas of my country. Amid the continued violence in Syria, the number of refugees and other persons displaced to Lebanon is projected to reach 1,229,000 by the end of 2013 - the equivalent of more than a fourth of Lebanon's own population - putting significant pressure on local communities. Madam President, it is as if your country, the United States of America, were to have an influx of 75 million refugees. which is more than twice the population of Canada. Can you imagine the impact of an influx of such magnitude on your own country?”
2013-07-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7000 (2013) · source
“The discrepancy between the figures is due to the fact that many Syrians have not felt the need to register as refugees, or are unwilling or afraid to do so for political or sectarian reasons; on top of that are illegal entrants and the 200,000 to 300,000 Syrian workers traditionally present in Lebanon, along with the family members who have joined them since the situation began worsening in Syria. In addition, there are about 40,000 Lebanese returnees and 63,000 Palestinian refugees who have fled Syria since the crisis began. Syrian refugees are now to be found in more than 1,400 locations in Lebanon, and their numbers exceed those of local inhabitants in 30 per cent of those places.”
2013-07-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7000 (2013) · source
“According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the latest statistics indicate that there are now 607,908 refugees, as compared to 129,106 at the end of 2012 and 28,477 in mid-July 2012. In other words, the number of refugees has increased by more than 460 per cent since the beginning of this year, and by more than 20-fold in a year. In reality, the numbers are much greater. The Lebanese General Security Directorate puts the number of Syrians in Lebanon at 1.2 million.”
2013-07-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7000 (2013) · source
“We appreciate the fact that the presidential statement issued by the Council on 11 July "echoes President Michel Sleiman's protest, in his letter of 18 June 2013, at such repeated shelling from the conflicting parties, including the Syrian Arab Armed Forces and Syrian armed opposition groups, that violates Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity." (S/PRST/2013/9) In that context, let me reiterate that my Government remains fully committed to its policy of dissociation from the Syrian conflict and to the terms of the Baabda Declaration of 12 June 2012. Another dramatic impact of the Syrian conflict is the massive influx into Lebanon of refugees fleeing violence in Syria.”
2013-07-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7000 (2013) · source
“But it is even more tragic that the Security Council, the organ entrusted by the Charter of the United Nations with the maintenance of peace and security, has so far failed to put an end to the conflict, while every day brings more victims and greater destruction. Time and again we and others have warned against the potential spillover of the Syrian conflict into neighbouring countries. With the failure to end the conflict, the potential dangers are now unfortunately becoming realities. The increasing cross-border fire and incursions from Syria into Lebanon are threatening my country's security and stability. We strongly condemn all such acts, whoever their perpetrators may be and whatever their alleged reasons.”
2013-07-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7000 (2013) · source
“Allow me first to commend Ms. Amos, Mr. Guterres and Mr. Simonovic' for their relentless efforts to help alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people and to ensure respect for their basic rights. I would also like to thank them for their briefings, which only confirm how appalling the humanitarian situation has become and how urgent remains the need for the Council to act. It is indeed tragic that, since the beginning of the Syrian conflict, more than 100,000 people have died and many more have been wounded. Almost 4 million have been displaced within Syria and another 2 million have fled, seeking refuge in neighbouring countries, including my own, Lebanon.”
2013-07-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7000 (2013) · source
“In the report on the subject, UNICEF calls for all measures to be taken to ensure appropriate treatment of Palestinian children who are arrested by the Israeli authorities, in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child and other national instruments. We are not living on another planet. We are fully aware of the political reasons for this situation, even if we do not approve of the political reasons that have prevented the Council from assuming its responsibilities and bringing an end to Israel's occupation of the Palestinian State and the realization of its independence. But what is stopping the Council from at least adopting a statement to reflect UNICEF's recommendations, based on the most basic humanitarian standards? How can the Council remain silent?”
2013-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6950Resumption1 (2013) · source
“In the same context, I should now like to focus on the issue of children in the Israeli military detention system, in particular following the publication of a report on that subject by UNICEF on 6 March. The report documents the most abject, arbitrary, institutional types of maltreatment - including torture, blows and humiliation - inflicted upon Palestinian children when they are stopped or transferred to be interrogated. Those practices include, inter alia, raids into houses and arrests in the middle of the night. They are detained alone, threatened with rape and are not allowed to have their family members present with them.”
2013-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6950Resumption1 (2013) · source
“Since the beginning ofthis year, Israel has arrested more than 1,070 Palestinians. Ofthose, 234 are children, some of whom are only eight years old. Samer Issawi and his companions have continued their hunger strike and their heroic resistance month after month in order to ensure that the cause of Palestinian prisoners is publicized in the international media. Indeed, their cause has been taken up by numerous humanitarian human rights organizations. The conditions that led to the deaths of the two prisoners, including Maysara Abu Hamdiyeh, has shaken international public opinion. However, the Security Council has remained silent in the face of that unacceptable humanitarian tragedy.”
2013-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6950Resumption1 (2013) · source
“Thirdly, returning the to the main topic of today's debate, all reports underscore the fact that Israel is pursuing its settlement activities in the occupied territories with impunity and in violation of United Nations resolutions, and continues to build the separation wall in contravention of the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice. Similarly, it continues to confiscate lands and take control of water sources in contravention of the provisions of conventions signed in Geneva and The Hague. However, a new factor that is actually both new and old is the worsening of the difficulties experienced by prisoners in Israeli detention. As the Council is aware, since it began its occupation in 1967, Israel has detained over 726,000 Palestinians and left many to rot in prison without trial.”
2013-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6950Resumption1 (2013) · source
“The number of refugees has increased by 20,000 during the past week, while resources are noticeably decreasing. We are no longer able to meet the basic needs of refugees for housing, food and medicine. Nonetheless, we reiterate that the borders of Lebanon will remain open to Syrian refugees and that Lebanon has no intention to deport anyone. At the same time, we reaffirm our support for the two requests made by the the President of the Republic of Lebanon for the convening of an international conference on Syrian refugees in order to consider ways to share the burden, based on the principal of a shared responsibility, and to establish camps within Syria far from the confrontation zones and close to neighbouring States, under the protection of the United Nations.”
2013-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6950Resumption1 (2013) · source
“This morning His Excellency, Mr. Michel Sleiman, President of the Republic, reiterated his position that Lebanon will not allow weapons or combatants to be sent to Syria or training camps to be set up in Lebanon. In that regard, he underscored that this position is not only in accordance with the implementation of the Baabda Declaration and the policy of non-interference in Syrian affairs, but also helps to consolidate Syrian national unity and avoids destabilizing the situation. However, the military impact of the fighting in Syria continues to spread to the border areas with Lebanon and constitutes a gross violation of my country's security. In that connection, we again condemn those who order such violations, whatever their justification may be. Furthermore, the ongoing influx of Syrian refugees into Lebanon is constantly increasing.”
2013-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6950Resumption1 (2013) · source
“That is a gross violation of its obligations under resolution 1701 (2006) and disregards the plan put forward by UNIFIL to bring an end to the occupation. Today we reiterate our call for an end to Israeli occupation of the northern part of the Al-Ghajar village, the Shab'a farms and the Kfar Shuba hills. Secondly, since our meeting on 18 April on the humanitarian situation in Syria (see S/PV.6949), the situation in that country has worsened further, as has its impact on neighbouring countries, in particular on my country, Lebanon, at all social, economic and security levels. I would therefore like to state that Lebanon is committed, now more than ever, to a policy of dissociation from the crisis in Syria. It is committed to the tenets of the Baabda Declaration, adopted by the National Dialogue Committee in June 2012.”
2013-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6950Resumption1 (2013) · source
“It is undeniable that the current calm in southern Lebanon reflects my country's commitment to those obligations and the cooperation between the Lebanese Army and the forces of United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). In that regard, we pay tribute to UNIFIL's contribution through its command and its troops. Nonetheless, efforts must be strengthened to move from a cessation of hostilities to a permanent ceasefire. It should also be underscored that the Israeli air force violates Lebanese airspace on a daily basis, as underscored by the Secretary-General in his periodic report (see S/2013/l20). That is a threat to the safety of civilians and is also likely to undermine UNIFIL's mission. In that connection, must I recall that Israel continues to occupy the northern part of Al-Ghajar village and neighbouring regions?”
2013-04-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.6950Resumption1 (2013) · source