PM Najib Mikati s speech during the dinner banquet held at the Grand Serail in honor of United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon
Saturday, Jan 14, 2012
Your Excellency, Secretary General of the United Nations
Excellencies,
Distinguished guests,
It gives me great pleasure to be welcoming you all, here in Beirut and at the Grand Serail. Your visit to Lebanon is an evidence of the continuous trust you have in our country, especially during this critical period the Middle East is witnessing.
Distinguished Guests,
Since the formation of this Government, we were keen on protecting Lebanon from the ramifications of regional developments while boosting our efforts to improving security and preserving stability at the national level. With God’s support, we were able to succeed in safeguarding Lebanon from such regional developments.
Our Government’s priority has been, and still is, to preserve national stability away from external implications. We are not frightened from external dangers, but we are aware that internal division weakens our position both internally and externally. Therefore, I call upon all Lebanese, to promote internal unity so we can build what have been destroyed and achieve what our future generations expect from us.
Distinguished Guests,
Lebanon in its recent past, encountered positive and negative happenings, however, today we are keen to continue rebuilding the pillars that reinforce the concept of national belonging rather than sectarian belonging and loyalty towards principles rather than individuals. This can be accomplished if we adhere to our constitution that guarantees national partnership and democracy.
Lebanon has always been a bridge of dialog among its diverse communities, indeed it is a role model for coexistence and whenever the Lebanese step away from this national context, political strife emerges and Lebanon’s existence becomes in danger.
Distinguished Guests,
In the coming months, Lebanon will begin its maritime excavations on oil and gas, and therefore we call upon the United Nations to pressure Israel not to violate our maritime borders. This will require from us, the Lebanese to be united in order to protect our national resources and land. We reaffirm Lebanon’s commitment to U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 and urge the international community to pressure Israel to fulfill its obligations under this resolution.
We assure you that the United Nations and international community support Lebanon through the UNIFIL in South Lebanon is essential in reinforcing stability and security in the country. As such, we call upon the international community to pressure Israel in implementing international resolutions and to stop violating Lebanese sovereignty.
Your Excellency, Secretary General of the United Nations,
You are the head of the World’s strongest peace making institution and Lebanon has always been a message for cultural and religious coexistence therefore we hope that you will support us in preserving and enrooting the pillars of permanent peace in our country.
Once more, I welcome you in Lebanon wishing you all a pleasant stay.

