UN peacekeeping chief ‘very, very anxious’ about way forward for Lebanon-Israel ceasefire deal if UNIFIL withdraws
NEW YORK CITY: The way forward for UN Safety Council Decision 1701, which governs the ceasefire and peacekeeping framework between Lebanon and Israel, can be in danger with out the persevering with presence of the UN Interim Pressure in Lebanon, the UN’s prime peacekeeper warned on Thursday.
Jean Pierre Lacroix, the group’s head of peacekeeping operations, expressed his deep concern throughout a press convention following visits to Lebanon and Syria. He informed Arab Information he can be “very, very anxious” about the way forward for the decision if UNIFIL was withdrawn.
“UNIFIL isn’t an finish in itself, and UNIFIL isn’t one thing standalone,” he stated. “It’s a software for supporting implementation of Decision 1701, so the 2 are inextricably linked.
“I might be very, very anxious about the way forward for Decision 1701 if there isn’t a UNIFIL on the bottom to help the implementation of that decision.”
UNIFIL, established in 2006 to observe the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel and forestall hostilities in Lebanon’s risky southern border area, continues to play an important position in offering help for the Lebanese military presence in areas south of the Litani River.
The peacekeepers help in duties comparable to mine clearance and rehabilitation efforts, function liaisons between Lebanese and Israeli forces, and assist with deconfliction efforts.
Regardless of progress in implementing the provisions of the decision, Lacroix stated that violations persist and extra work is required to make sure it’s absolutely applied.
Throughout his journey, Lacroix met senior Lebanese officers, together with President Joseph Aoun, the prime minister, the speaker of the parliament, and the commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces. All of them, he stated, reiterated the crucial want for UNIFIL to keep up its presence within the nation, and Lebanese authorities have formally requested the Safety Council to increase the mission’s mandate.
Nevertheless, UNIFIL faces extreme monetary constraints. Lacroix stated contingency planning is underway amid liquidity shortfalls and uncertainties concerning the funding commitments of UN member states, notably in gentle of potential US opposition to extension of the mandate.
“To the most effective of my data, there isn’t a last place expressed by Israel or the US,” he stated in response to experiences of doable opposition to the continued deployment of UNIFIL. “However we count on consistency from member states; they provide mandates after which are anticipated to pay on time and in full.”
Lacroix pressured that within the absence of UNIFIL, sensible and symbolic help for Decision 1701 would erode, doubtlessly escalating tensions in a area the place stability stays fragile.
“The interlocutors in Lebanon have been involved and expressed the necessity for UNIFIL’s presence to assist mitigate and cut back tensions that stay fairly excessive within the area,” he stated.
The Safety Council is scheduled to evaluation UNIFIL’s mandate in August. The mission at present includes about 10,000 troops from greater than 40 international locations.
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