Statement

by

Lebanon

at the Sixth Committee

Item 108: "Measures to eliminate International Terrorism"

New York, October 3, 2016

Check Against Delivery

Permanent Mission of Lebanon to the United Nations 866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 531, New York, NY 10017

Years after years in this committee and in other fora, when dealing with this item, my delegation has first and foremost reiterated its categorical condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. We have also repeatedly affirmed that terrorism has no religious, national or ethnic identity but that one of cruelty. It strikes blindly and indiscriminately. As a country that has been a constant target of terrorism, Lebanon continues to work incessantly to prevent and counter it. Lebanon abides by all relevant conventions on terrorism that it joined. One month ago, our government launched consultations with key actors to elaborate a comprehensive national plan to eradicate terrorism. Such a plan will be consistent with international law standards, in particular the Global CounterTerrorism Strategy as well as other relevant General Assembly and Security Council resolutions, and will be in line with the Secretary-General Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism. On the ground, our Army and Internal Security Forces, in close collaboration with international partners, continue their arduous work of disrupting terrorist networks and combating terrorist forces. We can no longer let terrorist groups take advantage of the failures of the international community to solve acute crisis and exploit the flaws of our societies. Indeed, foreign occupation, marginalization, protracted conflicts, poverty, xenophobia, and double standards in the application of international law are but few examples of the root causes that may lead to violent extremism conducive to terrorism. They must be seriously addressed. Our preventative efforts must be redoubled, notably through the promotion of youth and women empowerment. Education is also central when it engrains tolerance, critical thinking and a culture of dialogue. It is therefore a great satisfaction to see such references reflected in the latest review resolution of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, adopted by consensus earlier this year, and which marked its tenth anniversary. In this context, I will briefly recall the commitment of Lebanon to the balanced implementation of all four pillars of the Strategy, and the importance it attaches to Pillar I and IV, dealing respectively with the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and the respect of human rights while countering it.

Of course, confronting the issue of terrorism requires us to approach it firmly but cautiously as well. Unfortunately, in these times of crisis, simplistic confusions are rampant: One of them, for instance, is the association of terrorism with a specific religion. Here, let's be clear: terrorism does not found its roots in Islam. Another simplistic confusion is the association of terrorism with other principles duly recognized under international law, such as the right to self-determination and the right to resist foreign occupation. Here, let's be clear again: this claim is false and the legitimate right for peoples to resist foreign occupation and the right to self-determination cannot be assimilated to terrorism by a certain delegation that is strangely silent when terrorist acts are committed by its nationals against civilians living under occupation for almost half a century. These mix-ups keep reminding us of the necessity to come up with an explicit and unified definition of terrorism that will be reflected in the draft Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism. Like we have said in the past, it is not a matter of rhetoric discussion but rather an essential one, as the way we define terrorism will have an impact on the political and operational response that will be implemented.