Plumbly: UN, Western countries to support Lebanon

U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Derek Plumbly Monday underlined his organization and Western countries' solidarity with Lebanon. “The United Nations Security Council will stand by Lebanon during these hard times,” Plumbly said following an emergency meeting held with President Michel Sleiman at Baabda Palace. The meeting was attended by ambassadors of five foreign countries to Lebanon – France, Britain, China, Russia and the United States. The five countries are permanent members in the U.N. Security Council. Plumbly’s remarks come amid a tense and violent atmosphere in the country after the recent killing of Brig. Gen. Wissam al-Hasan, head of the police’s Information Branch. Hasan was killed by a car bomb in the Beirut neighborhood of Ashrafieh Friday. The U.N. official also urged all Lebanese sides to reach a deal that would preserve national unity. “The United Nations calls on all Lebanese sides to move forward on a peaceful political path to preserve stability and security in their country,” he said. He added that the Cabinet should continue to preserve stability and security in Lebanon. "The U.N., and the five countries representative that attended the meeting expressed their determination to support the government of Lebanon to put an end once and for all to impunity in Lebanon," Plumbly said. Condemning the “terrorist attack” in Ashrafieh, Plumbly said the U.N. stressed the need to refer those involved in the bombing to the judiciary. “The U.N. reiterates once again its condemnation of any attempt that aims at destabilizing Lebanon through political assassinations,” said Plumbly. (daily star)