Region | Lebanon

Annan urges Syria and Iran to help Lebanon

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan pressed Syria and Iran yesterday to help promote the stability of Lebanon after the resignation of six of its government ministers.

  • Reuters
  • Published: 00:00 November 19, 2006
  • Gulf News

United Nations/Beirut: UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan pressed Syria and Iran yesterday to help promote the stability of Lebanon after the resignation of six of its government ministers.

Annan spoke by telephone with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Syrian head of state Bashar Al Assad about developments in Lebanon and the need for governments in the region and around the world "to promote the stability and the unity of Lebanon", UN chief spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. Annan urged the two presidents to counsel Lebanon's leaders "to exercise patience and resolve their differences through dialogue", Dujarric said.

Five ministers from Shiite groups Hezbollah and Amal quit the Lebanese Cabinet a week ago when talks over giving the opposition a greater say in government collapsed. A sixth minister, loyal to pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud, resigned on Monday.

Meanwhile, Lahoud said the country would have a "national government" no matter what the cost. He said the situation was "delicate because what is happening violates the Taif agreement and the constitution". The Taif agreement ended Lebanon's 1975-1990 civil war.

"I promise you that Lebanon will witness the establishment of a national government no matter what the cost and if that does not happen the price will be high, especially for future generations," Lahoud said in a statement.

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