Beirut - New York: Europe and the Arabs
United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, stressed that the continued presence of a neutral and stable UN force along the Blue Line is crucial, not only for the people of Lebanon and Israel, but for the entire region, as part of the quest for security and stability there.
This came in an article by the UN official published in Newsweek magazine on Friday, in which he referred to recent developments and the devastating conflict between Hezbollah and other militias in Lebanon and Israeli forces, followed by the entry into force of the ceasefire agreement in November 2024, and the role of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which operates in the area under Security Council Resolution 1701 of 2006.
Lacroix said that in this context, "UNIFIL has adjusted its modus operandi and redoubled its efforts to prevent a resumption of hostilities and maintain stability along the Blue Line." According to the UN Daily News Bulletin, he stated that since November, UNIFIL has supported the deployment of more than 8,000 Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) troops to more than 120 locations in southern Lebanon and has worked closely with the LAF to locate and dispose of hundreds of weapons and ammunition caches abandoned by Hezbollah after the 2023-2024 conflict with Israel.
He added that UNIFIL continues to play an important role in liaising and coordinating between the parties to avoid misunderstandings and to coordinate the movements of logistical convoys and patrols, as well as between humanitarian actors and the LAF. He added that this channel of communication helps avoid confrontation between Lebanese and Israeli forces and defuse tensions.
Work Continues Despite Challenges
The UN official noted that "UNIFIL's work has not been without challenges or criticism, as it has faced a difficult and often negative operating environment, not only since October 2023, but particularly since that date."
He pointed out that under its mandate from the Security Council, it is not authorized to enforce peace. He said that UNIFIL's role is to assist, facilitate, and support, but it is ultimately up to the parties to transform the provisions of the resolution into lasting facts on the ground.
He emphasized that "despite the challenges, UNIFIL will continue to adapt its posture, structure, and presence to meet needs on the ground." He explained that peacekeepers are focusing on enhancing patrol capabilities, situational awareness, and community engagement, as well as expanding their support to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) through training, the provision of non-lethal equipment, and joint operations.
He noted that the LAF needs more resources, with continued support from the international community, to effectively provide security along the Blue Line.
Lacroix emphasized that the cessation of hostilities agreement, along with recent political developments in Lebanon, "represent a long-awaited opportunity to address the security concerns of both Israel and Lebanon. It is essential that we maintain this momentum and leverage UNIFIL's presence to help Lebanon and Israel achieve a lasting peace."