“As the impact of the Syria crisis on Lebanon’s stability and security becomes more and more apparent, the Security Council underscores its growing concern at the marked increase of cross-border fire from the Syrian Arab Republic into Lebanon, which caused death and injury among the Lebanese population, as well as incursions, abductions and arms trafficking across the Lebanese-Syrian border,” the 15-member body said in a presidential statement.

The Council noted “with deep concern” new developments with regard to the involvement of Lebanese parties in the fighting in Syria, and called on them to recommit to Lebanon’s policy of disassociation, to stand united behind President Michel Sleiman and to step back from any involvement in the Syrian crisis.

In his latest report on the implementation of Security Council resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war between Israel and the Lebanese group Hizbollah, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon noted with concern new developments regarding the involvement of Lebanese citizens in the fighting in the Syria.

This includes Hizbollah’s “acknowledged participation in and commitment to such fighting,” threats by external actors to bring their fight to Lebanon in response to Hizbollah’s involvement and calls from inside Lebanon to engage in jihad in Syria, Ban wrote.

“The implications of these developments for Lebanon’s stability, and indeed for the region, are serious,” he warned, urging all concerned parties in Lebanon to step back from involvement in the conflict in Syria.

The Council heard a briefing yesterday on the report, as well as the latest developments on the ground, from the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Derek Plumbly. Both Mr. Plumbly and the Council have strongly condemned the terrorist attack that took place yesterday in a Beirut suburb and injured around 50 people, and underlined the need to bring the perpetrators to justice.

“In the face of attempts to undermine the country’s stability,” the Council today encouraged all parties in Lebanon to demonstrate renewed unity and determination to resist a “slide into conflict” and commended Sleiman’s continued efforts in this regard.

The Council also condemned recent violence by armed groups across Lebanon, and stressed the need to support the security and judicial authorities in combating impunity.

Both the Council and the Secretary-General called on Lebanon’s leaders to work with Prime Minister Tammam Salam to finalize the formation of a Government, which is crucial for addressing the multiple challenges facing the country, including the humanitarian crisis resulting from the influx of refugees from the Syria crisis.

Since the start of the Syrian conflict in 2011, over 1.7 million people have fled Syria to neighbouring countries and Lebanon has received the largest number of refugees in the region. There are currently more than half a million refugees from Syria in Lebanon, according to UN estimates. It is estimated that by the end of the year, refugees could make up 20 per cent of Lebanon’s population.

“As for the refugee crisis, the Security Council underlines the need for assistance on an unprecedented scale, both to meet the needs of the refugees and of host communities, and to assist the Lebanese authorities who face extraordinary financial and structural challenges as a result of the refugee influx.”

“The Secretary-General is deeply concerned by the acknowledged increased participation in the fighting in Syria by Hizbollah, as well as by the risk of spillover in Lebanon, which has witnessed growing tension over the past week,” Mr. Ban’s spokesperson said in a statement. “All in the region should act responsibly and work towards lowering rhetoric and calming tensions in the region.”

According to media reports, two rockets hit a Hizbollah-run area in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, on Sunday, a day after the Lebanese group’s leader pledged to keep supporting Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad.

“The Secretary-General reiterates the paramount importance of preventing a dangerous spillover of the conflict across borders,” the statement said. “He believes that strict adherence to the Baabda Declaration will help preserve Lebanon’s stability and security, and calls on all Lebanese leaders and parties to renew their commitment to it and keep Lebanon safe from conflict.”

The Baabda Declaration, which was issued during a National Dialogue meeting in June 2012, calls for keeping Lebanon neutral from regional tensions and crises. The Declaration is named after the Baabda Presidential Palace, where the meeting was held.

In the statement, Mr. Ban’s spokesperson said the Secretary-General has consistently opposed the transfer of arms and fighters from outside Syria to either side inside the country and has repeatedly urged respect for the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries in the region.

“As preparations are ongoing for the international conference on Syria, the Secretary-General urges all countries, organizations and groups immediately to cease supporting the violence inside Syria and instead to use their influence to promote a political solution to Syria’s tragedy.”

Mr. Ban also reiterated that protecting civilians must be a priority and urged all parties to abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law.

Since March 2011, fighting between the Syrian Government and opposition forces seeking to oust Mr. Al-Assad has killed more than 70,000 people, and left 6.8 million people in need. In addition, the UN estimates that some 1.5 million Syrians have fled their country to escape conflict.

“I know there is public concern about the manifestations of insecurity that have been seen over the past two weeks,” Mr. Plumbly told reporters in Beirut after meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati. “But I believe they have also alerted all of us to the need to work together to sustain calm and stability in Lebanon at this time of turbulence in the region.”

Mr. Plumbly had on Monday voiced concern over recent violent incidents that led to loss of life in Lebanon. According to media reports, the violence was related to the unrest in neighbouring Syria, with clashes between sympathizers and opponents of the different parties to the conflict there.

A protest movement – similar to those across the Middle East and North Africa – has claimed over 9,000 lives in Syria, mostly civilians, and displaced tens of thousands since it began in March 2011; and has led to the deployment of UN observers.

“I told the Prime Minister that the United Nations supports all steps aimed at safeguarding Lebanon’s stability and security and the wellbeing of its citizens,” Mr. Plumbly said in his comments.

“I relayed the same message to President [Michel] Sleiman when I met him yesterday,” he added. “In this context, we warmly welcome the President’s determination to revive dialogue in Lebanon at a time when such dialogue and communication is obviously a necessity.”

The Special Coordinator also voiced concern, on behalf of the United Nations, over the abduction of 11 Lebanese pilgrims in Syria earlier this week, and expressed the hope that they will be returned to their families as soon as possible.