LEBANON TRIBUNAL: SYG BAN FORGOES TRIP TO BEIRUT

C O N F I D E N T I A L USUN NEW YORK 000360 SIPDIS SIPDIS IO AND NEA FOR FRONT FRONT OFFICE E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/09/2017 TAGS: PREL UNSC SY LY SUBJECT: LEBANON TRIBUNAL: SYG BAN FORGOES TRIP TO BEIRUT Classified By: Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad for Reasons 1.4 (b,d) ¶1. (C) During a meeting with Ambassador Khalilzad on May 8, SYG Ban said he would not/not travel to Beirut to make a last-ditch push for Lebanese ratification of the UN-GOL tribunal agreement and statute. Ban said he is not/not asking for more time for diplomatic efforts to find a Lebanese solution to the tribunal issue. He agreed to tell Security Council members, during his monthly lunch with Permanent Representatives scheduled for May 15, that the Lebanese process to ratify the tribunal agreement is blocked. Separately, Ban reportedly told French PR de la Sabliere that he (Ban) would call Syrian President Assad before May 15 to follow-up on his earlier request that Syria use its influence to encourage a Lebanese solution to the tribunal issue. Ban also expects to receive a call shortly from Lebanese Prime Minister Siniora with an update on the situation. KHALILZAD