Annan: No Problem over Lebanon

Published June 18th, 2000 - 03:00 GMT

United Nations chief Kofi Annan said Sunday he foresaw no problem with Lebanon over confirming the Israeli withdrawal from the country, even though Beirut still insists there are Israeli encroachments on its territory.

The Lebanese government said Sunday it refused to accept UN confirmation of Israel's total retirement from southern Lebanon last month, saying the Israelis were still encroaching on its territory in a number of places.

"This is an issue that will be resolved," he said. "Any encroachment by the Israelis will be a violation that would have to be reported to the Security Council and the international community would react."

"I think we are in the right direction and there is no problem between the United Nations and Lebanon," Annan said after meeting Iran's President Mohammad Khatami. "It will be sorted out." – TEHRAN (AFP)