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UNIFIL patrol confronted by civilians in Lebanon; UN calls for freedom of movement under resolution 1701
Summary
The UN interim force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported a patrol was blocked and assaulted by a group of people wielding sticks and axes; UN peacekeepers used non‑lethal force and Lebanese Armed Forces escorted the patrol back to base. The UN reiterated that restrictions on UNIFIL movement violate Security Council resolution 1701.
The United Nations said a routine UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) patrol in the south was confronted by a large group of civilians who tried to stop the patrol and damaged vehicles, prompting UNIFIL to use non‑lethal force and prompting Lebanese Armed Forces to later escort the patrol back to base.
At the UN briefing, the spokesperson said the group used metal sticks and axes and caused damage to UNIFIL vehicles. UNIFIL used non‑lethal measures to ensure the safety of the patrol, immediately informed the Lebanese Armed Forces, and the LAF escorted the patrol back to base, the briefing said.
The UN reiterated that UNIFIL’s full freedom of movement is critical to its mandate and said any restriction on that freedom is a violation of Security Council resolution 1701. The spokesperson called on Lebanese authorities to ensure UNIFIL peacekeepers can carry out mandated tasks without threats or obstruction.
The briefing described the patrol’s mission as a routine operational activity in Sector West and stressed the requirement that UNIFIL act independently and impartially to accomplish its mandate.
