The statement was made by Ambassador Bui The Giang, DeputyRepresentative for Vietnam at a UN Security Council consultation on theoperations of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in New York onAugust 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 bythe United Nations, the League of Arab States, regional countries andthe international community aimed at a just, lasting and comprehensivepeace in the Middle East, of which respect for the territorialintegrity, sovereignty and political independence of Lebanon representsan integral part,” he stressed.
While advocating the investigation process carried out by UNIFIL andthe Lebanese Armed Forces, the Vietnamese diplomat underlined theimperative for all parties to exercise maximum restraint and ensure thesafety and security of UN peacekeepers, humanitarian workers and thelocal population.
“We urge Israel to immediately cease flights over Lebanese territoryand withdraw from the northern part of Ghajar village and an adjacentarea north of the Blue Line,” he said.
After commending the role played by UNIFIL in deterring the resumptionof hostilities and maintaining the ceasefire in the area between theBlue Line and the Litani River, Ambassador Giang welcomed thetripartite cooperation between UNIFIL and the parties involved tovisibly mark the Blue Line, their effective efforts in clearinglandmines, cluster munitions and other explosive remnants of war, aswell as the increased assumption of security responsibilities by theLebanese Armed Forces across the country.
Regarding the Secretary-General’s intention to conduct an assessment ofthe structure of the force, assets and requirements in the comingmonths, the diplomat said that the exercise should be carefully plannedand in close consultation with countries contributing troops so as toensure the highest possible efficiency./.