Chicago: United Nations (U.N) Secretary General Ban Ki-moon expressed concern that violence in Syria could drop over into neighboring Lebanon and reiterated fears it could also develop into a full-blown civil war.
After a meeting with new French President Francois Hollande on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Chicago, Ban said the world was at “a pivotal moment in the search for a peaceful settlement to the crisis” in Syria.
In a statement released by his office, the U.N. chief said that he was “extremely troubled about the risk of an all-out civil war (in Syria) and was concerned about the outbreak of related violence in Lebanon.”
Derek Plumbly, the U.N. special coordinator for Lebanon, expressed concern over the latest violence and urged dialogue between the rival parties in Lebanon.
“Differences must be addressed through dialogue, not resort to violence,” he said in a statement.
Two people were killed and at least 18 others were wounded in the clashes that erupted late Sunday and continued early on Monday, Al Arabiya reported.
The clashes involved pro- and anti-Assad regime groups.
The violence erupted hours after reports emerged that Lebanese soldiers had shot dead Sheikh Ahmad Abdul Wahid, a prominent anti-Syrian regime Sunni cleric, and his bodyguard, when their convoy supposedly failed to stop at a checkpoint in north Lebanon on Sunday.
Washington also expressed concern over the killings and urged restraint.
“We welcome the commitment of the Lebanese government and the Lebanese Armed Forces to conduct a swift and transparent investigation of the shooting incident,” U.S. State Department deputy spokesman Mark Toner said.
“And we call on all parties to exercise restraint and respect for Lebanon’s security and stability,” he said.
The U.S. embassy in Lebanon advised its citizens of the potential for continued demonstrations, road blockages and violence during the three days of mourning called for Wahid’s death.
Amid fears the situation might deteriorate, four Gulf countries – Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and United Arab Emirates – have warned their citizens against travel to Lebanon.
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