UN Special Coordinator briefs Security Council on implementation of Resolution 1701

UN Special Coordinator briefs Security Council on implementation of Resolution 1701

United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Joanna Wronecka and Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix have briefed the Security Council on the latest report of U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the implementation of Resolution 1701.

"Noting the unrelenting socio-economic crisis and its dire impact on people’s daily lives, the Special Coordinator warned that Lebanon stands at a crossroad between rebound or collapse, and underscored that its trajectory will depend on the ability and willingness of the country’s leaders to urgently initiate sustainable solutions," Wronecka's office said in a statement.

"The Special Coordinator emphasized in this regard the importance of functioning state institutions that can deliver on required reforms and address people’s needs. She echoed recent calls by the Security Council and the International Support Group for Lebanon for Lebanese stakeholders to prioritize the country’s national interests, avoid political deadlocks and speed up the formation of a government. She supported calls for the conduct of presidential elections within the constitutionally stipulated timeline, given the current presidential mandate expires on 30 October 2022.

"The Special Coordinator praised the efforts of Lebanon’s Armed and security forces to preserve Lebanon’s fragile stability and prevent a security deterioration, praising in particular their performance during the legislative elections. She