The UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Joanna Wronecka, warned on Thursday that Beirut is now at a crossroads between recovery and collapse. This statement came during a Security Council consultation session regarding the implementation of resolution 1701, issued in 2006, concerning the cessation of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel.
During her speech, Wronecka stated, "National interests must be prioritized, political paralysis in the country should be avoided, and the formation of a government must be expedited." She added, "Lebanon now stands at a crossroads, either recovery or collapse... The course the country will take will depend on the ability and willingness of Lebanese leaders to begin implementing sustainable solutions urgently."
Wronecka emphasized the necessity of having "effective state institutions capable of implementing the required reforms and meeting the needs of the Lebanese people." She called for the need to "conduct presidential elections within constitutional deadlines, as the term of the current president Michel Aoun ends on October 30."
The Special Coordinator praised the "efforts of the Lebanese army and security forces in maintaining Lebanon's fragile stability and preventing security deterioration." Regarding the severe economic crisis in Lebanon, Wronecka stressed the "utmost importance of an agreement between Lebanon and the International Monetary Fund," warning that "time is running out."
She continued, "Therefore, the Parliament and the government must swiftly take the necessary prior actions to make such an agreement with the fund possible, including the required financial and monetary reforms."
Lebanon has been suffering from its worst economic crisis in modern history for about two years, characterized by financial and living deterioration, a collapse of the local currency (the lira) against the dollar, and shortages of food, medicine, and fuel. Regarding the situation on the Lebanon-Israel border, Wronecka reaffirmed the need for "all parties to comply with their obligations to fully implement resolution 1701, cease all violations, and respect the cessation of hostilities."
On August 11, 2006, the Security Council adopted resolution 1701, calling for an end to all military operations between Lebanon and Israel.
