Annan made the remarks during talks today with Lebanon's cabinet in Beirut. He said the Lebanese government assured him it will "faithfully implement" the UN Security Council's Middle East cease-fire resolution.
Annan arrived in Beirut at the start of an 11-day Middle East tour aimed at bolstering the fragile cease-fire. He said he thinks there is a chance the cease-fire can be long-lasting, but he cautioned that the way forward is difficult.
"We have a chance now to have a long-term cease-fire and a long-term peace," Annan said. "And we all need to work together."
It is Annan's first visit to Lebanon since a UN cease-fire resolution two weeks ago brought a halt to 34 days of fighting between Israel and Hizballah.
Annan said he also discussed the deployment and role of a proposed 15,000-strong UN security force in southern Lebanon today.
(AP, Reuters, AFP)
Annan arrived in Beirut at the start of an 11-day Middle East tour aimed at bolstering the fragile cease-fire. He said he thinks there is a chance the cease-fire can be long-lasting, but he cautioned that the way forward is difficult.
"We have a chance now to have a long-term cease-fire and a long-term peace," Annan said. "And we all need to work together."
It is Annan's first visit to Lebanon since a UN cease-fire resolution two weeks ago brought a halt to 34 days of fighting between Israel and Hizballah.
Annan said he also discussed the deployment and role of a proposed 15,000-strong UN security force in southern Lebanon today.
(AP, Reuters, AFP)
