UN:UN secretary general Ban Ki-Moon has warned Lebanese factions against rearming and training militias and urged them to end a year-long political deadlock by agreeing on a candidate for president.
In a report to the security council, Mr Ban said over the past six months Lebanon had continued to suffer "political crisis and instability" exacerbated by fighting between the army and Fatah al-Islam, a jihadist group ousted from a Palestinian refugee camp in the north.
Reports that Hizbullah had reconstituted its arsenal and rebuilt its forces following the 2006 war with Israel were, he said, "deeply depressing". Mr Ban said the disarmament of Hizbullah would help complete "its transformation into a . . . political party" and boost the sovereignty of Lebanon.
Issuing his report shortly after parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri postponed until November 12th the election of a new president, Mr Ban cautioned lawmakers: "The position must be filled once the prolonged term of the present incumbent comes to an end, lest the regular functioning of the political institutions remain impeded."
The term of incumbent Émile Lahoud ends on November 24th. Mr Ban urged the two opposing blocs to "resume dialogue" and "aim for unity and conciliation".
