Guterres: The relative calm in southern Lebanon represents a long-awaited opportunity to fully implement Resolution 1701

In a speech to the mission’s leadership and members, Mr. Guterres said that UNIFIL is working in “The most challenging environment for peacekeepers anywhere,” Adding that its contributions were crucial in supporting the restoration of stability in southern Lebanon and along the Blue Line.

The Secretary-General arrived in Beirut earlier today, Friday, where he met with the caretaker Foreign Minister, Abdullah Bou Habib. He then headed south and visited a number of UNIFIL sites that were bombed by Israeli forces last year.

In his speech at UNIFIL headquarters, he said that all parties were obligated to ensure the safety of the mission’s personnel, and stressed the need to respect the sanctity of UN buildings at all times. He added: “Attacks against UN peacekeepers are completely unacceptable. They violate international law, constitute a violation of international humanitarian law and may constitute a war crime.”

New stage

Mr. Guterres said that the mission had his full support in making the amendments “Which may be necessary in this new phase.” He said that the United Nations will continue to work closely with troop-contributing countries to ensure that UNIFIL’s capabilities are strengthened – including in the field of mine clearance and disposal of unexploded ordnance – so that it can resume patrol and monitoring tasks as stipulated in its mandate.

He added: “I know that these capabilities, along with adapting the conduct of operations within your jurisdiction, are vital for the Mission to regain freedom of movement and access throughout its area of ​​operations.”

The only guarantor of Lebanon’s security

The Secretary-General said that the continued occupation of parts of UNIFIL’s area of ​​operations by Israeli forces, and the continuation of their military operations there, constitute a violation of Resolution 1701 and a continuing threat to the safety and security of UNIFIL, “This has to stop.”

He pointed out that UNIFIL revealed “More than a hundred weapons caches belonging to Hezbollah or other armed groups since November 27,” Adding that the presence of armed men and weapons, except for those belonging to the Government of Lebanon and UNIFIL, south of the Litani River also constitutes a clear violation of the resolution and undermines the stability of Lebanon.

He said that the Lebanese Armed Forces, as the sole guarantor of Lebanon’s security, are deploying in greater numbers in southern Lebanon, including with the assistance of UNIFIL, adding that he will continue to urge the international community to strengthen support for the army.

The Secretary-General said that he will raise all these issues in his meetings with Lebanese officials, including during his meeting tomorrow with President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam, and Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri.

It is noteworthy that Mr. Guterres is expected to return to New York on Sunday and attend a Security Council meeting on the Middle East next Monday.