UNITED NATIONS (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres has said that the UN will make every effort to help Lebanon achieve economic recovery. Guterres made the remarks upon his arrival at Beirut airport.
"The UN will support all Lebanese sectors with its capabilities so that Lebanon can return to being a country of peace, beauty, and prosperity in the region," he said.
The UN chief added that his visit to Lebanon was to express deep solidarity with the country and its people, who have suffered from successive internal and regional crises.
Guterres also said that the UN Interim Force in Lebanon and its offices will continue to support Lebanon and its stability.
Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib, who greeted Guterres at the airport, stated, "Lebanon is a peace-loving country committed to international laws and resolutions of international legitimacy. It appreciates the UN's constant support for its sovereignty and independence, and it relies on the UN's role to help the country overcome the economic crisis and rebuild what was destroyed by the Israeli strikes."
UN official calls for investment in rule of law in Lebanon
Earlier, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk expressed his office's readiness to strengthen human rights efforts in Lebanon, calling for investment in the rule of law in the country.
"My office stands ready to strengthen our human rights work and to accompany the country as it moves forward," he said on Thursday at a press conference in Beirut, according to a statement released by the United Nations Information Centre.
Turk noted that his office offered support for key reforms necessary to strengthen the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, and the transparency of its work during discussions with the new Lebanese president and prime minister-designate, reportedly.
"I welcome the President's public commitment to ensuring equality, justice, and protection for all, and respecting liberties, free press, and expression," he said.
Turk observed that with Lebanon's new leadership, there is momentum for political stability, economic recovery, and the long-overdue implementation of critical reforms to address the multiple socio-economic crises and widespread inequalities facing Lebanon.
"Human rights offer a tool of governance. This was a powerful message that I conveyed," he said.
Turk also called for an independent investigation into the explosion at the Beirut port in August 2020. "I repeat that those responsible for that tragedy must be held to account and offer the support of my office in this regard," he said.
He also said that the rights of all Lebanese, especially the vulnerable, must be at the heart of economic, fiscal, and financial policies. "That is what a human rights economy is all about. Budget and investment decisions must prioritise access to education, healthcare, and social protection," he said.
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