Calls for a cease-fire and the implementation of Resolution 1701 were made by visitors to Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri in Ain al-Tineh on Monday, including the U.N. coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, and the leader of the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) Gebran Bassil.

“The United Nations is doing its utmost to find a diplomatic solution to the current situation. Let's be clear: Resolution 1701 must be applied by both parties to reach a solution. The whole of 1701 will have to be applied,” declared Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, who called for a cease-fire and assured that the U.N. was working to meet the humanitarian needs of the Lebanese.

The head of parliament also spoke with Commander of theUnited Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), General Aroldo Lazaro, thanking him for the “wise and courageous” stance of the UNIFIL who “remained at their posts in accordance with the tasks assigned to them.” Berri felt that this action preserved U.N. Resolution 1701.

Five peacekeepers from the UNIFIL were wounded in less than 48 hours in Lebanon, in fire attributed to Israel. These events were widely condemned by the international community and countries with troops in UNIFIL.

Berri also received a telephone call from the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani. The discussion focused on “the priority of an immediate cease-fire and the cessation of Israeli aggression,” according to the Ain al-Tineh statement.

Bassil, for his part, spoke to the head of the Legislative Assembly about the need for a cease-fire and the implementation of 1701. The FPM leader also raised the question of the presidential election. “We are working to find a candidate who will not pose a problem for anyone and who will be able to unite the Lebanese. We need 86 deputies, i.e. two-thirds of the deputies, to obtain the necessary quorum,” he said.

Rencontres à Aïn el-Tiné : appels à un cessez-le-feu et à l'application de la 1701