Zalmay Khalilzad: UNSC Resolution 1701 on Lebanon

Remarks by Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, U.S. Permanent Representative, on the adoption of the Presidential Statement on UNSC Resolution 1701 on Lebanon, at the Security Council Stakeout, August 3, 2007

Ambassador Khalilzad: Good Afternoon. I'm happy that the Council came to an agreement on the Presidential Statement regarding 1701. It's a good statement and I'd be happy to take your questions now.

Reporter: Can you elaborate what sort of disagreements you had with the Qataris and how it was solved and if you are satisfied with the agreement you have reached?

Ambassador Khalilzad: I am satisfied, that's why I expressed my happiness with the statement. I don't want to get into the negotiations, to pick on the negotiations with Qatar, and not talk about all of the other negotiations with the other parties, that would not be appropriate in my view. We got a good result. We are happy with it and I hope that everyone else is happy with the statement.

Reporter: Ambassador, would you please summarize what you feel the message of this resolution is to the government of Syria relating it to its role in border control. What further measures would you like to see them now take as per this PRST?

Ambassador Khalilzad: The message is, I think the stronger statement in earlier statements in regards to the expression of great concern at the persistent reports of the breaches of the arms embargo along the Lebanon-Syrian border. That is an expression of great concern, that there are reports of breach. Second, it calls on Syria to do more. And of course as you know, there is the availability of LIBAT and LIBAT recommendations you know and there is the ability to do more as necessary. So, I think it's a strong message that Syria needs to do more and the members of the Security Council are greatly concerned about arms coming across the border.

Reporter: Ambassador, just a follow up, do more, what specifically do you have in mind?

Ambassador Khalilzad: To stop arms shipments across its border into Lebanon.

Reporter: [inaudible] diplomatic relations between Syria and Lebanon?

Ambassador Khalilzad: While this doesn't deal with the diplomatic relations specifically, of course we would like to see that happen. The statement recognizes that the border is a joint responsibility of the two countries and calls on the Syrians to do more.

Reporter: [inaudible] report did not mention any finding that the Lebanese authorities have arrested or seized any weapons smuggled from Syria into Lebanon.

Ambassador Khalilzad: Well, there are multiple reports that we all know... Well, I mean, we have non Israeli reports as well and I have to refer to the other part which is that Hezbollah's statement that it had the ability to hit Israel, some of us read Tel Aviv in particular, or all of Israel, some of us read that, interpret that, as an admission of one or another kind of breach of 1701. One is that they have missiles in the south of Lebanon, which they shouldn't, based on 1701, or two, new capabilities have been acquired from across the border. Both of which would be violations of 1701.

Reporter: "The US will freeze the assets of anyone trying to undermine the Lebanese government?" Could you please identify any targets of this procedure please?

Ambassador Khalilzad: I don't have anything to announce on that at the present time. Thank you.

ENDS

© Scoop Media