Excellency,
On 18 December 2012, a large Hezbollah weapons storage facility exploded in the Lebanese village of Tair Harfa, less than three kilometers from Israeli territory. Following the incident, Hezbollah sealed off the area.
This event is not an isolated occurrence, but rather the latest incident in a series of mysterious explosions that continue to take place in the midst of Lebanon’s civilian population. It is no coincidence that this blast occurred just 300 meters from a school. Hezbollah intentionally stores its weapons in civilian areas. The people of Lebanon are more valuable to Hezbollah as human shields than as human beings.
This explosion offers yet another reminder to the world about the grave danger before our eyes in Lebanon. In flagrant breach of resolution 1701, Hezbollah has built its arsenal to unprecedented levels, amassing 50,000 deadly missiles in Lebanon – more missiles than many NATO members have in their possession. These missiles can reach all of Israel and well beyond.
The failure to enforce the arms embargo in Lebanon undermines the basic fabric of security and stability in our region. It could have catastrophic consequences. Today the world faces the frightening prospect that Assad’s vast stockpiles of chemical weapons could soon fall into Hezbollah’s hands in Lebanon. The international community does not have the luxury of ignoring this dangerous reality any longer.
I call on the Security Council and all responsible members of the international community to send a clear signal that Hezbollah’s rapid rearmament will not be tolerated – backed by concrete steps on the ground. A logical first step is to ensure that Hezbollah is placed on relevant terrorism watch-lists in all corners of the globe, including in the European Union.
I should be grateful if you would have this letter distributed as an official document of the Security Council. I wish to inform you that an identical letter has been sent to H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Allow me, Excellency, to renew to you the assurances of my highest consideration.
Yours truly,
Ron Prosor
[Signed]
Ambassador
Permanent Representative
H.E. Mr. Mohammed Loulichki
President of the Security Council
United Nations
New York