UN Special Coordinator calls for 'talks', says 'uncertainty remains' despite ceasefire
United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert said Thursday that uncertainty remains despite a ceasefire reached a year ago between Lebanon and Israel.
The ceasefire de-escalated two months of devastating hostilities and human suffering on both sides of the Blue Line, offered a ray of hope and raised expectations of more durable solutions, but uncertainty remains, Plasschaert said.
"In fact, for too many Lebanese, the conflict is ongoing - albeit at a lower intensity. And, one does not need a crystal ball to understand that, as long as the current status quo continues, the specter of future hostilities will continue to loom large.
"What is clear is that the time to embrace both the urgency and opportunity of the current moment is now. That goes for actors on both sides of the Blue Line. Dialogue and negotiations alone will not solve everything, but they will help to establish a baseline of outstanding commitments and, importantly, will clear the way for the security and stability both parties say they seek," the special coordinator said.
"The time for talks is now. No challenge is unsurmountable. A bright future for all can be realized."
Source: Naharnet
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