Lebanon: UNIFIL calls for an end to any actions that threaten the fragile cessation of hostilities

In a statement issued today, Thursday, UNIFIL explained that both Israel and Lebanon confirmed their commitment to full implementation UN Security Council Resolution 1701Stressing that to address the outstanding issues, the two parties are invited to benefit from the newly established mechanism as agreed upon in the understanding.

UNIFIL urged the Israeli army to withdraw on time, deploy the Lebanese Armed Forces in southern Lebanon, and fully implement Resolution 1701 as a comprehensive path towards peace.

It stressed that it is working closely with the Lebanese Armed Forces while accelerating recruitment efforts and redeploying forces to the south.

UNIFIL said it is ready to play its role in supporting the two countries in fulfilling their commitments and monitoring progress, including ensuring that the area south of the Litani River is free of any armed individuals, assets or weapons other than those belonging to the Government of Lebanon and UNIFIL, as well as respecting the Blue Line.

She expressed concern about the continued destruction carried out by the Israeli army in residential areas, agricultural lands and road networks in southern Lebanon, noting that this constitutes a violation of Resolution 1701.

The UN mission stressed that peacekeepers will continue their assigned tasks, including monitoring all violations of Resolution 1701 and reporting them to the Security Council.