Briefing to the Security Council on the Fifteenth Semi-Annual Report of the Secretary-General to the Security Council on the Implementation of Security Council Resolution 1559 (2004) 8May2012 Mr. President, I am pleased to address the Security Council today to present the 15th semi-annual report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of resolution 1559 (2004). Mr President, I am glad to recall that since the adoption of Security Council Resolution 1559 on 2 September 2004 several provisions have been implemented such as the withdrawal of the Syrian troops in 2005; the conduct of free and fair presidential and parliamentary elections and the establishment of diplomatic relations between Syria and Lebanon. The Secretary-General is disappointed to report today that there has been yet again no further progress towards the implementation of the remaining provisions of resolution 1559 (2004) over the last six month. In fact, there has been no further progress for more than two years. We are keenly aware that the situation in the region has not been conducive to further progress on the outstanding provisions of resolution 1559 (2004). The stagnation in the process of the implementation of the resolution could lead to the erosion of the provisions already implemented, and the efforts to strengthen Lebanon's sovereignty and political independence. Mr. President, Let me elaborate. Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias continue to operate in the country outside of the Government's control in serious violation of resolution 1559 (2004). While several groups across the political spectrum in Lebanon possess weapons outside Government control, the armed component of Hizbullah is the most significant and most heavily armed Lebanese militia in the country. It reaches almost the capacities of a regular army. The leadership of Hizbullah has acknowledged that it maintains a substantial military arsenal. Hizbullah is also a Lebanese political party whic