Kofi Annan, that friend of humanity, that icon of all that is good and decent, has blocked a UN Security Council effort, a rare incidence of unanimity there, to advance the disarmament of militias in Lebanon. The New York Sun reports:

The U.N. Security Council yesterday weighed a new pronouncement on the disarmament of militias in Lebanon, but Secretary—General Annan said he did not think such a statement would "add anything."

French and American diplomats worked on the text of a new statement that they expected all of the council's 15 members would approve, and that the council's rotating president would then announce early next week, a council diplomat told The New York Sun, asking not to be identified by name. [emphasis added]

A great deal of work went into lining up the ducks for this move. It isn't easy. But Kofi threw a monkey wrench into the gears.

Mr. Annan yesterday called for caution. "I think we should do everything to dissuade those who would ship weapons into Lebanon," he told reporters, but then added, "I am not sure if a [Security Council] presidential statement at this stage is going to add anything." Saying that there has been "considerable progress" in implementing the resolutions on Lebanon, he added, "these resolutions are not implemented overnight."

Ed Lasky   1 20 06