Transforming the Shiite Hezbollah militia into a "solely political party" is the key to permanent peace in Lebanon and to full restoration of the country's sovereignty, according to a UN report released Thursday.
"Hezbollah's transformation into a solely political party...is a key element in ensuring a permanent end of hostilities and in the full restoration of Lebanon's sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence," the report by UN chief Kofi Annan said.
It stressed that to achieve this goal, "on the path toward the greater objective of consolidating the Lebanese state" it was essential that "all parties who have influence in Lebanon support a constructive political process."
The Iranian-backed Hezbollah was involved in a month-long war with Israel in south Lebanon which ended with a UN-brokered truce in August under UN Security Council resolution 1701. That resolution called for the disarming of Hezbollah guerrillas and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon.
Annan's report, sent to the Security Council'S 15 members, focused on the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1559 adopted in 2004, which called for the withdrawal of foreign troops from Lebanon and the disbanding of all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias. Syria withdrew its troops from Lebanon in 2005 after 29 years of military and political domination of its smaller neighbour, in line with Resolution 1559.
Annan's report stressed the need for continued foreign assistance to Lebanon either through troop contribution to the 7,200-strong UN mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL), or through bilateral technical aid or financial support. "All such assistance should be lent in ways that contribute to the consolidation of the (Lebanese) government's monopoly on the use of force throughout its territory," it said.
It added that achieving this goal would depend on both the Lebanese and "on the co-operation of parties other than the Lebanese," an apparent reference to Syria and Iran. Under Resolution 1701, Lebanon is to secure its border and entry points to prevent the passage of illicit arms or related material. The resolution authorises UNIFIL to assist Lebanon in this task if requested.
Annan's report also noted that since the end of fighting in southern Lebanon in August, "a tense political climate has prevailed, with manifold challenges confronting the Lebanese in their quest to reconstruct their country, their polity and their economy.
It also noted that establishment of full diplomatic relations between Syria and Lebanon and demarcation of their shared border, including in the disputed Shebaa Farms "through a bilateral agreement would constitute significant steps to promote peace and security in the region." The so-called Shebaa Farms is a small mountainous territory at the convergence of the Lebanese-Syrian-Israeli borders. Israel captured the area from Syria in the 1967 Middle East war, and it is now claimed by Lebanon with Damascus's consent.
Israeli troops have retained control of the area since their withdrawal from south Lebanon in May 2000 after two decades of occupation. The UN regards the Shebaa Farms as Syrian territory. On the issue of border demarcation, Annan said in his report that he was working "to establish in full the cartographic, legal and political implications of the approach suggested by Lebanon's seven-point plan."
In a seven-point plan he unveiled last July, Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora suggested that Israel withdraw from the farms and for the 12-square mile territory to be placed under UN guardianship pending a formal agreement between Lebanon and Syria over its sovereignty.