Vietnam welcomes the general trend of peace and stability in Lebanon since the June parliamentary elections and calls for all parties concerned to soon establish a new national unity government.

The statement was made by Ambassador Bui The Giang, Deputy Representative for Vietnam at a UN Security Council consultation on the operations of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in New York on August 20.

He added that Vietnam wishes to see a Lebanon of long-term stability, prosperity and full integration into the international community.

“We confirm our continued support for the collective undertakings by the United Nations, the League of Arab States, regional countries and the international community aimed at a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East, of which respect for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence of Lebanon represents an integral part,” he stressed.

While advocating the investigation process carried out by UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces, the Vietnamese diplomat underlined the imperative for all parties to exercise maximum restraint and ensure the safety and security of UN peacekeepers, humanitarian workers and the local population.

“We urge Israel to immediately cease flights over Lebanese territory and withdraw from the northern part of Ghajar village and an adjacent area north of the Blue Line,” he said.

After commending the role played by UNIFIL in deterring the resumption of hostilities and maintaining the ceasefire in the area between the Blue Line and the Litani River, Ambassador Giang welcomed the tripartite cooperation between UNIFIL and the parties involved to visibly mark the Blue Line, their effective efforts in clearing landmines, cluster munitions and other explosive remnants of war, as well as the increased assumption of security responsibilities by the Lebanese Armed Forces across the country.

Regarding the Secretary-General’s intention to conduct an assessment of the structure of the force, assets and requirements in the coming months, the diplomat said that the exercise should be carefully planned and in close consultation with countries contributing troops so as to ensure the highest possible efficiency./.