U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says the conflict in Syria is having a serious impact on neighbouring Lebanon, citing increased cross-border violence, broader threats to stability and security and deeper polarization in the country.
Ban said the spillover of the 2 1/2-year Syrian conflict, which has caused more than 800,000 Syrians to flee to Lebanon, is also straining the country's finances and creating economic and social pressures.
In a report to the Security Council circulated Wednesday, he condemned the shelling, shooting and aerial incursions into Lebanese border areas and called on the Syrian government and opposition to stop violating the border.
The U.N. chief also reiterated his call on Hezbollah militants to stop fighting in Syria, where they are supporting President Bashar Assad's military.
