UN / LEBANON

STORY: UN / LEBANON
TRT: 1:56
SOURCE: UNIFEED
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 25 NOVEMBER 2019, NEW YORK CITY

SHOTLIST:

FILE - NEW YORK CITY

1. Close up, UN flag outside UNHQ

25 NOVEMBER 2019, NEW YORK CITY

2. Zoom in, Pierce approaching reporters

FILE - NEW YORK CITY

3. Close up, journalist taking notes
4. Close up, camera

25 NOVEMBER 2019, NEW YORK CITY

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Karen Pierce, Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations:
“The Members of the Security Council also noted that this is a critical time for Lebanon. They stressed the importance of the timely formation of a new government able to respond to the aspirations of the Lebanese people and to restore the stability of the country within the constitutional framework. The Members of the Security Council called on all actors to conduct intensive national dialogue and to maintain the peaceful character of the protests by avoiding violence and respecting the right to peaceful assembly and protest. They commended the role of the Lebanese armed forces and other state security institutions in protecting this right. The Members of the Security Council emphasized the need for the Lebanese authorities to implement meaningful economic reforms in timely fashion and under a Lebanon-owned and led process, and notably the commitments made at the International Support Group for Lebanon and the Rome 2 and Cedre conferences. They called on the international community, including international organizations to ensure continued support to Lebanon in addressing the security, economic, and humanitarian challenges facing the country. And the Members of the Security Council reaffirmed their strong support for the stability, security, territorial integrity, sovereignty, and political independence of Lebanon, in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions.”
6. Wide shot, Pierce speaking to reporters
7. Zoom out, Pierces leaving and speaking to Jan Kubis

STORYLINE:

The UN Security Council stressed the importance of the timely formation of a new government in Lebanon “able to respond to the aspirations of the Lebanese people and to restore the stability of the country within the constitutional framework.”

Reading elements to the press following closed consolations on the situation in Lebanon today (25 Nov), British ambassador and President of the Council for the month of November Karen Pierce said the Council noted that this was a “critical” time for Lebanon and called on “all actors to conduct intensive national dialogue and to maintain the peaceful character of the protests by avoiding violence and respecting the right to peaceful assembly and protest.” Pierce said Council Members commended the role of the Lebanese armed forces and other state security institutions in protecting peaceful protests.

Council Members also emphasized the need for the Lebanese authorities to “implement meaningful economic reforms in timely fashion and under a Lebanon-owned and led process, and notably the commitments made at the International Support Group for Lebanon and the Rome 2 and Cedre conferences.” They called on the international community, including international organizations to ensure continued support to Lebanon in addressing the security, economic, and humanitarian challenges facing the country.

The Members of the Security Council reaffirmed their strong support for the “stability, security, territorial integrity, sovereignty, and political independence of Lebanon, in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions.”

The Council received briefings on the situation in the country by the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jan Kubis and Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific Khaled Khiari. In response to a question, Peirce said concerns were raised about the recent violence against protesters. However, she added that Kubis was very clear that some good steps had been taken, including by the Lebanese armed forces. She said it was vital that all parties make sure there was no violence and to allow peaceful protests to continue.