The Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, during his press conference in New York before his departure for Beirut. (Credit: Sylviane Zehil)
The Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, is expected in Lebanon on Thursday for an official visit aimed at showing support for the Lebanese people and the peacekeeping forces deployed in the country. This visit comes at a critical time marked by significant but still fragile progress on the diplomatic and security fronts.
In a statement to the press before leaving New York, Guterres highlighted the opportunity emerging for Lebanon with the election of a new president and the appointment of a Prime Minister following the conclusion of a cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah: "A window has opened for a new era of institutional stability, with a state fully capable of protecting its citizens and a system that could unleash the immense potential of the Lebanese people. We will do everything we can to keep this window wide open - a window that will allow both Lebanese and Israelis to live in safety. And there are signs of hope."
A U.N. official told L’Orient-Le Jour that "Lebanon has always held a special place for Guterres. As a former High Commissioner for Refugees, he witnessed the generosity of the Lebanese people. With the election of President Joseph Aoun on Jan. 9 and the appointment of Nawaf Salam as prime minister, the U.N. is ready to accompany Lebanon in this new stage."
A Cease-fire bringing hope
Since the cease-fire between Hezbollah and Israel on Nov. 27, violence in Lebanon has significantly decreased. During a closed-door meeting last Monday at the Security Council, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the Special Coordinator for Lebanon, presented an encouraging report while highlighting the remaining challenges.
"We are in the final phase, and therefore the most critical," she stated, calling on the involved parties to adhere to their commitments to avoid a resurgence of tensions. Hennis-Plasschaert warned that a prolonged status quo could have serious consequences: "If discussions on the sustainable implementation of resolution 1701 do not progress, we risk reliving a cycle of violence."
The U.N. official echoed this sentiment: "We hope this positive situation will endure. It is imperative that all parties respect their commitments to maintain calm."
The presidential election, a positive turning point
The election of Joseph Aoun to the presidency, after two years of vacancy, has been hailed as a positive turning point and "a sign of hope." The appointment of Nawaf Salam, a former Lebanese representative to the U.N. and President of the International Court of Justice, as prime minister, reinforced this momentum. Guterres praised these advances: "The cease-fire in Lebanon is largely holding – and the country has finally succeeded in electing a president after more than two years of deadlock."
As the Jan. 26 deadline approaches for the Israeli withdrawal from the occupied areas in southern Lebanon, calls for compliance with this commitment are increasing. Meanwhile, the international community insists on the rapid formation of a government capable of unlocking the necessary funding for reconstruction.
"The essential resources for recovery must begin to arrive immediately, especially to support the most vulnerable populations," stated Hennis-Plasschaert.
Toward an 'institutional renewal'
The issue of disarming armed groups remains central to guaranteeing security.
"The possession of weapons outside state control represents a threat to the security of Lebanon and the region," said the U.N. official, urging respect for resolutions 1701 (2006) and 1559 (2004).
Guterres reiterated the U.N.'s commitment to Lebanon: "The U.N. is here to accompany it towards sustainable peace and institutional renewal." As Lebanon embarks on the path of transformation, his visit is meant as a call for international solidarity and collective action to consolidate these fragile advances into durable peace, not only for Lebanon but for the entire region.
According to information released by the U.N., Antonio Guterres plans to first meet with the caretaker foreign minister, Abdallah Bou Habib, upon his arrival on Thursday. He will travel on Friday to southern Lebanon, particularly to Naqoura(Sour), to visit positions of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). On Saturday, he plans to meet successively with President Joseph Aoun, the designated Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and the Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri. He is expected to conclude his visit with a press conference.