UN tells Syria to block arms flow into Lebanon

NEW YORK — The UN Security Council warned that it cannot tolerate terrorist attacks in Lebanon and called for Syria to block the flow of weapons and militants blamed for recent killings and bombings.

The 15-nation council issued a formal statement in an open meeting after reviewing progress in the implementation of its Resolution 1559, which in 2004 demanded the complete withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon and for the latter to carry out democratic reform.

The statement said “significant further progress” had been made to meet the resolution, in particular the Syrian military withdrawal and holding of elections in Lebanon.

But it noted “with regret” that other demands have not been met, including the disbanding and disarming of Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias. Beirut also has failed to extend government control over all its territory and hold free and fair presidential elections.
It said Lebanon and Syria have failed to establish full diplomatic relations and agree on a border. The two countries never had a formal border and maintained close neighbourly friendship as Syria militarily occupied its neighbour for more than three decades.