UN Secretary-General with peacekeepers in Lebanon. UN chief in Lebanon: “This is a long-awaited opportunity for real progress” Peace and Security
Speaking at the headquarters of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, the Secretary-General commended the peacekeepers for their dedication, stressing that they serve in the most difficult conditions.
Antonio Guterres arrived in Beirut on Thursday. Today, the UN chief visited several UNIFIL positions that were hit by Israeli forces last year. Speaking at the mission’s headquarters in Naqoura, he praised the peacekeepers’ courage, dedication and resilience amid attacks on both sides of the Blue Line.
“We are now, in no small part due to your efforts, experiencing a period of relative calm that must be maintained. This is a welcome opportunity to help the parties achieve real progress towards the full implementation of resolution 1701 and to ensure security and stability for the people of Lebanon and Israel,” the Secretary-General said.
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He also stressed that the ongoing occupation of parts of the UNIFIL area by Israeli forces, as well as military operations on Lebanese territory, constitute violations of resolution 1701 and pose a security threat.
Guterres also noted that since 27 November, UNIFIL has discovered more than 100 weapons caches belonging to Hezbollah or other armed groups. He recalled that the presence of armed personnel, forces and weapons that do not belong to the Government of Lebanon or UNIFIL between the Blue Line and the Litani River is a violation of resolution 1701 and undermines stability in the country.
“Your strong support and close coordination with the Lebanese Armed Forces will be fundamental to facilitating a lasting cessation of hostilities and realizing the ultimate objective of resolution 1701,” the Secretary-General told the peacekeepers.
During his visit, the Secretary-General is expected to hold meetings with President Joseph Aoun, as well as newly appointed Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.