Latest news with #UNResolution1701
Arab News
a day ago
- Politics
- Arab News
UN peacekeeping chief ‘very, very worried' about future of Lebanon-Israel peace framework if UNIFIL withdraws
NEW YORK CITY: The future of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which governs the ceasefire and peacekeeping framework between Lebanon and Israel, would be at risk without the continuing presence of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, the UN's top peacekeeper warned on Thursday. Jean Pierre Lacroix, the organization's head of peacekeeping operations, expressed his deep concern during a press conference following visits to Lebanon and Syria. He told Arab News he would be 'very, very worried' about the future of the resolution if UNIFIL was withdrawn. 'UNIFIL is not an end in itself, and UNIFIL is not something standalone,' he said. 'It's a tool for supporting implementation of Resolution 1701, so the two are inextricably linked. 'I would be very, very worried about the future of Resolution 1701 if there is no UNIFIL on the ground to support the implementation of that resolution.' UNIFIL, established in 2006 to monitor the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel and prevent hostilities in Lebanon's volatile southern border region, continues to play a crucial role in providing support for the Lebanese army presence in areas south of the Litani River. The peacekeepers assist in tasks such as mine clearance and rehabilitation efforts, serve as liaisons between Lebanese and Israeli forces, and help with deconfliction efforts. Despite progress in enforcing the provisions of the resolution, Lacroix said that violations persist and more work is needed to ensure it is fully implemented. During his trip, Lacroix met senior Lebanese officials, including President Joseph Aoun, the prime minister, the speaker of the parliament, and the commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces. All of them, he said, reiterated the critical need for UNIFIL to maintain its presence in the country, and Lebanese authorities have formally asked the Security Council to extend the mission's mandate. However, UNIFIL faces severe financial constraints. Lacroix said contingency planning is underway amid liquidity shortfalls and uncertainties about the funding commitments of UN member states, particularly in light of potential US opposition to extension of the mandate. 'To the best of my knowledge, there is no final position expressed by Israel or the United States,' he said in response to reports of possible opposition to the continued deployment of UNIFIL. 'But we expect consistency from member states; they give mandates and then are expected to pay on time and in full.' Lacroix stressed that in the absence of UNIFIL, practical and symbolic support for Resolution 1701 would erode, potentially escalating tensions in a region where stability remains fragile. 'The interlocutors in Lebanon were concerned and expressed the need for UNIFIL's presence to help mitigate and reduce tensions that remain quite high in the region,' he said. The Security Council is scheduled to review UNIFIL's mandate in August. The mission currently comprises about 10,000 troops from more than 40 countries.
LBCI
3 days ago
- Politics
- LBCI
Lebanon, UK discuss UN Resolution 1701 and border security challenges
Lebanon's Defense Minister Michel Menassa met on Wednesday with the UK Defense Senior Advisor to the Middle East and North Africa, Vice Admiral Edward Ahlgren. The talks provided a comprehensive overview of the regional and Lebanese security landscape, examining recent developments and their potential impact on Lebanon. Discussions also touched on the Lebanese army's implementation of U.N. Resolution 1701 and its deployment in southern Lebanon, amid Israel's continued occupation of the five strategic hills. The meeting further addressed the army's ongoing efforts to secure Lebanon's northern and eastern borders with Syria.
MTV Lebanon
3 days ago
- Politics
- MTV Lebanon
President Aoun and UK defence advisor discuss UNIFIL renewal
President of the Republic Joseph Aoun told the UK Defence Senior Advisor to the Middle East and North Africa (DSAME) Vice Admiral Edward Ahlgren, that "Lebanon considers the extension of the mandate of UNIFIL force operating in south Lebanon, a key factor in maintaining stability and security on the southern Lebanese border. Therefore, Lebanon places great hopes on the support of UN Security Council member states, including Britain, to ensure that the extension is passed on time without any obstacles.' President Aoun on Wednesday met at Baabda Palace, with the UK Defence Senior Advisor to the Middle East and North Africa (DSAME) Vice Admiral Edward Ahlgren, in the presence of British Ambassador to Lebanon, Hamish Cowell. President Aoun stressed that "UNIFIL's presence in the south of the Litani River greatly assists in implementing UN Resolution 1701, especially since cooperation between the Lebanese Army and the international force is based on continuous coordination in accordance with the provisions of relevant international resolutions." Aoun pointed out that "Israel's continued occupation of the five hills and their surroundings continues to hinder the Lebanese army's full deployment to the southern border,' noting 'wherever the Lebanese army has deployed south of the Litani River, the Lebanese state's decision on the eclusivity of arms, has been implemented, and all armed manifestations have been removed." President Aoun and the UK official held a tour d'horizon on current regional developments and the post-ceasefire period between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Israel, as well as the situation in southern Lebanon and on the Lebanese-Syrian border.
Al Manar
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Al Manar
Israeli Drone Attack Targets South Lebanon Town
The Israeli enemy continued on Thursday its continuous violations of the Lebanese sovereignty and the ceasefire agreement based on the UN Resolution 1701. In this regard, a Zionist drone attack on a motorcycle in Deir Siryan town, South Lebanon, left one injury. Meanwhile, the Lebanese Army announced that one of its units , in coordination with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), removed a number of earthen barriers and reopened roads in the outskirts of the town of Shebaa-Hasbaya, which the Israeli enemy had previously closed. The Army indicated that the move took place on June 12, 2025, as part of its efforts to monitor the situation in the south and eliminate Israeli violations. بتاريخ ١٢ / ٦ / ٢٠٢٥، ضمن إطار متابعة الوضع في الجنوب وإزالة خروقات العدو الإسرائيلي، عملت وحدة من الجيش بالتنسيق مع قوة الأمم المتحدة المؤقتة في لبنان – اليونيفيل على إزالة عدد من السواتر الترابية وإعادة فتح طرقات في خراج بلدة شبعا – حاصبيا، كان العدو الإسرائيلي قد أغلقها في وقت… — الجيش اللبناني (@LebarmyOfficial) June 12, 2025
Al Manar
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Al Manar
Israeli Enemy Violates Lebanese Sovereignty Again
The Israeli enemy continued on Monday its continuous violations of the Lebanese sovereignty and the ceasefire agreement based on the UN Resolution 1701. In this regard, Israeli gliders threw two bombs on Ras Al-Naqoura and Ramya in South Lebanon with no injuries recorded, according to Al-Manar reporter. Israeli soldiers, deployed at the newly established occupation site in Hamams inside the Lebanese territory, opened fire at farms in the Khiam plain. Moreover, an Israeli drone flew in the morning at a low altitude over Beirut's Dahieh. An Israeli drone raid on a motorcycle on the Shehabiyeh-Kfardounin highway in south Lebanon on Sunday left one martyr.
