A wide view of the Security Council. UN Photo/JC McIlwaine (file)

1 November 2016 – The United Nations Security Council today welcomed the election of Michel Aoun as the President of Lebanon, noting that it represents a long-awaited and critical step to overcome the country’s political and institutional crisis.

Adopting a Presidential Statement, the 15-member Council urged the new President and Lebanese leaders to build on their efforts thus far by continuing to work constructively to promote the country’s stability, and by swiftly forming a government.

The Council stressed that the formation of a unity government and the election of a parliament by May 2017 are critical for Lebanon’s stability and resilience to withstand regional challenges.

The Council encouraged Lebanese parties to demonstrate renewed unity and determination to ensure Lebanon’s ability to address the growing security, economic, social and humanitarian challenges facing the country, while underscoring its previous calls on all parties to recommit to Lebanon’s policy of dissociation and to cease any involvement in the Syrian crisis.

The Council commended Prime Minister Tammam Salam for his efforts to enable the Government to function effectively without a President, and also commended Speaker Nabih Berri for his efforts at fostering continued dialogue among all Lebanese parties.

Furthermore, the Council expressed its appreciation for the International Support Group (ISG) for Lebanon and calls on the international community, including international organizations, to ensure continued support to Lebanon in addressing the economic, security and humanitarian challenges facing the country.

The Council also reiterated its support to the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Sigrid Kaag.

The United Nations works on multiple fronts to assist Lebanon in forging a peaceful, stable and democratic future. The world body’s efforts there include the Office of the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon (UNSCOL) – the Special Coordinator serves as the Secretary-General’s representative to the Lebanese Government, all political parties and the diplomatic community based in the country and carries out good offices work on behalf of the UN chief to assist Lebanese parties to reach peaceful and consensus-based solutions to contentious issues.