Suleiman travels to UN; Lebanon’s Security Council membership questioned

Saeed Dhaher
For Al-Shorfa.com
2009-09-15

Lebanese Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh affirmed that the Arab League backs Lebanon’s bid to serve as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. (AFP/Getty Images)

BEIRUT — As he prepared to address the UN General Assembly in New York on Sept. 25, Lebanon’s President Michael Suleiman called for the rapid formation of a new government to enable him to speak with authority, and not just as the representative of interim cabinet ministers.

At the UN, Suleiman will hold consultations on Lebanon’s bid to serve as a non-permanent member of the Security Council based on the understanding that member-states of the Arab League alternate membership between Asian and African states, and that Lebanon is the next candidate.

Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh confirmed that the “Arab League has resolved to support Lebanon.” The decision to nominate Lebanon for non-permanent membership, however, has raised questions in Beirut about repercussions.

Member of Parliament Walid Jumblatt said “the Security Council provides Lebanon the opportunity to be a part of the great game of nations.”

At the same time, there is ongoing internal debate in Lebanon over Hezbollah weapons, the demarcation of borders and the ratification of a permanent ceasefire. Security Council membership would require a Lebanese delegate who is capable of handling such issues impartially.

Opposition powers close to Damascus ask, however, whether the Lebanese Security Council mission would take a stance that is damaging to a sister state such as Syria. “Where, for example,” asked one representative, “will Lebanon stand on a resolution to strengthen sanctions on Iran?”

Sources from the majority March 14th Alliance have countered that “some Lebanese and international parties will have no confidence in a Lebanese Security Council envoy responsible to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, an Amal member and ally of Hezbollah, who might leak secret resolutions on Iran or decisions related to the international tribunal on the assassination of Rafiq al-Hariri.”

Journalist Nazar Abboud opined that currently, “Lebanon in no way appears qualified for membership, which could compound its problems rather than solve them. The wise move may be to honourably decline membership instead of offering, at best, mere participation.”

Sources:

Bookmarking

Please comment on this article so that we can improve the experience of viewing this website.