Special Coordinator Steps Up Good Offices for Blue Line De-escalation

The UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Joanna Wronecka continued her good offices efforts to shield Lebanon from a broader conflagration. The Special Coordinator held a round of meetings with Lebanese officials and stakeholders before expected meetings with Israeli officials next week. In Beirut, the Special Coordinator met with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, the Lebanese Armed Forces Commander Gen. Joseph Aoun and representatives of Hizbullah. She underlined the importance of de-escalation, a return to the cessation of hostilities and the implementation of resolution 1701. The Special Coordinator also discussed with other Lebanese stakeholders, including Lebanese Forces party leader Samir Geagea, former Prime Minister Saad Hariri, the Deputy Head of the Higher Shiite Council and other high-level authorities how to protect Lebanon during this period.