The United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Joanna Wronecka, warned about Lebanon's pressing socio-economic situation in the context of lengthening the power void.

Beirut.- During her presentation before the UN Security Council, she stressed the need for Lebanon’s political leaders to achieve the necessary consensus and demonstrate flexibility to elect the new president of the Republic for the good of their people.

In the representative’s opinion, the fifth month of vacancy contributes to paralyzing the state institutions, amidst worsening economic, security, and humanitarian challenges.

The Special Coordinator warned about the rapid devaluation of the national currency and its domino effect on inflation, purchasing power, and poverty rates, as well as the decrease in the provision of essential services, such as water, energy, education, and health, all of which give way to extended strikes, particularly in the public sector.

She also regretted the slowness in adopting and implementing the necessary reforms in search of saving the Lebanese economy and putting the country on the path of recovery.

Wronecka stressed the urgency of speeding fair and thorough judicial processes in numerous unresolved cases in Lebanon, including the Beirut port explosion on August 4th, 2020.

She valued the unanimity within the Security Council on peace, security, and stability in Lebanon and the willingness of the international community to offer the necessary support.

The presentation of the Special Coordinator included topics from the report of the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, which covers the period from the 3rd of November 2022 to February 20th of this year. (PL)