UN: UNIFIL helping sustain fragile cessation in southern Lebanon; urges full implementation of Resolution 1701

A United Nations representative told the Security Council that UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon have helped sustain a fragile cessation of hostilities and urged all parties to fully implement Security Council Resolution 1701. “The cessation of hostilities is fragile, but it is holding,” the representative said, adding that UNIFIL troops are “undertaking vital efforts to nurture this process.”

The representative said UN peacekeeping forces have worked closely with the Lebanese Armed Forces and reported that, since 27 November, UNIFIL has carried out over 730 missions in cooperation with the Lebanese Armed Forces, facilitated the redeployment of Lebanese forces to more than 50 positions and supported 39 humanitarian missions coordinated with the Lebanese Red Cross and other UN entities and NGOs. The speaker called for strengthened capacities for mine clearance and disposal of unexploded ordnance and for adaptation of operations within UNIFIL’s mandate.

The UN representative reiterated that “Resolution 1701 is clear. The area between the Blue Line and the Litani River must be free of all armed personnel, assets and weapons other than those of the government of Lebanon and UNIFIL,” and urged the parties to respect Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The speaker said it is vital that any Israeli presence in the south end as defined in the agreement and that the Lebanese Armed Forces be present throughout Lebanon.

The representative also expressed “profound gratitude and admiration” to UNIFIL personnel and extended thanks to troop-contributing countries. The UN pledged continued support to help transform the cessation of hostilities into a durable peace.