S/PV.5799 Security Council

The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. The Council is meeting in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations. Following consultations among the members of the Security Council, I have been authorized to make the following statement on behalf of the Council: “The Security Council stresses its deep concern at the repeated postponements of the presidential election in Lebanon. “It emphasizes that the ongoing political impasse does not serve the interest of the Lebanese people and may lead to further deterioration of the situation in Lebanon. “The Security Council reiterates its call for the holding, without delay, of a free and fair presidential election in conformity with Lebanese constitutional rules, without any foreign interference or influence, and with full respect for democratic institutions. “It emphasizes the importance of Lebanese constitutional institutions, including the Government of Lebanon, as well as the importance of the unity of the Lebanese people, in particular on the basis of reconciliation and political dialogue. “It calls upon all Lebanese political parties to continue to exercise restraint and to show responsibility with a view to preventing, through dialogue, further deterioration of the situation in Lebanon. “The Security Council therefore commends the course adopted by the democratically-elected Government of Lebanon and the Lebanese Armed Forces in carrying out their respective responsibilities in the period until the presidential election occurs. “The Security Council reiterates its call for the full implementation of all its resolutions on Lebanon.” This statement will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/PRST/2007/46. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on the agenda. The Security Council will remain seized of the matter.