Cyprus backs Lebanon’s sovereignty at UN security council

Cyprus reaffirmed its support for Lebanon’s sovereignty on Wednesday during a UN security council discussion on the deteriorating situation in the country, stressing that developments there directly affect Nicosia due to its proximity to the region.

Addressing the council, Cyprus’ permanent UN representative, ambassador Maria Michael, said the island’s geographical and political links with Levant meant the crisis in the Lebanon could not be viewed as distant.

For Cyprus, “Lebanon is not a distant issue”, Michael assured.

The ambassador informed the council that president Nikos Christodoulides, remains in close contact with Lebanese president Joseph Aoun as tensions in the region intensify.

She urged all parties involved in the conflict to exercise restraint and avoid further escalation.

“The protection of civilians must always be ensured and international humanitarian law must be fully respected,” she said.

Cyprus condemned attacks carried out by Hezbollah against Israel following the group’s decision to join Iranian operations, while also expressing concern about the humanitarian consequences of Israel’s military response.

Michael said that although Israel has the right to self defence under international law, the escalation of military operations and the resulting displacement of large numbers of civilians remains troubling.

The Cypriot delegation reiterated its firm support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon and welcomed recent decisions by the Lebanese government aimed at strengthening state authority.

These include measures banning military and security activities carried out outside the control of the state and efforts to move forward with the disarmament of Hezbollah.

Particular emphasis was placed on the principle that the use of force must remain exclusively under state control.

 “The monopoly of legitimate violence must belong exclusively to the Lebanese armed forces,” Michael said, arguing that reinforcing the authority of the Lebanese state is essential for restoring long term stability.

Cyprus also welcomed previous public statements by Lebanon’s foreign minister condemning reported drone attacks that may have originated from Lebanese territory and targeted Cyprus.

The remarks follow an incident earlier this month in which a drone launched by Hezbollah struck the island, prompting diplomatic exchanges between the two countries.

Lebanese foreign minister Youssef Raggi had stressed that the attack did not represent the Lebanese state, urging Cypriots “not to confuse” the government with actions carried out by Hezbollah.

Raggi said such operations were conducted outside the authority of the state and directly contradicted official Lebanese decisions to restrict the group’s military activities.

“I called on our Cypriot friends not to confuse the Lebanese state with those acting outside its authority and legal framework,” he said, expressing “deep regret that such condemnable acts have occurred”.

During the security council session, Cyprus also underlined its support for the Lebanese armed forces, describing them as a key pillar of stability in the country.

Michael said Nicosia would continue assisting Lebanon through training programmes, financial support and participation in the military technical committee established to strengthen the Lebanese security sector.

The ambassador also highlighted the importance of fully implementing security council resolution 1701, the agreement adopted following the 2006 conflict between Israel and Hezbollah which aimed to stabilise the area along the so called ‘blue line’, the demarcation separating Israel and Lebanon.

Cyprus concluded its intervention by urging renewed efforts to contain the regional crisis and prevent further instability across the Levant and wider Middle East.