Ban issues warning on Lebanese militias

UNITED NATIONS, May 4 (UPI) -- Lebanon can continue along the path of recovery through democratic elections, but armed militias jeopardize significant development, the United Nations warned.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in his ninth semiannual report on developments in Lebanon that political stability and independence had improved in the wake of the Syrian withdrawal and the 2006 war with Israel, but Hezbollah militias continued to threaten overall gains.

"Hezbollah's maintenance of a paramilitary capacity poses a key challenge to the government's monopoly on the legitimate use of force," he said. Ban added that alleged Hezbollah activity beyond the Lebanese border was a particular concern.

In 2004 the U.N. Security Council adopted Resolution 1559, calling for elections in Lebanon that are free from foreign influence. Damascus reined in its influence over Beirut, and Hezbollah was called on to abandon its militia activity under the terms of subsequent resolutions.

In his report, Ban called on Beirut to take further action to disband the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and Fatah al-Intifada, Syrian-backed insurgent groups operating in Lebanese refugee camps.

The secretary-general pointed to the June 7 parliamentary elections as an opportunity for the Lebanese public to take further steps to secure the democratic achievements in the country.

"On June 7, the Lebanese will have a unique opportunity to express their genuine commitment to democracy," he said.