Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (right) in conversation with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (left) at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, on Jan. 18, 2025. (Credit: AFP)
During his visit to Lebanon since Friday, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres expressed his "full support" for Lebanon following his meeting on Saturday morning with President Joseph Aoun. Guterres also reiterated his commitment to mobilizing the international community to provide "all forms of assistance" to Lebanon.
In remarks reported by the state-run National News Agency (NNA), Guterres highlighted the need to "strengthen Lebanon's state institutions" to create the conditions necessary for the country to "fully protect its citizens." Meanwhile, President Aoun emphasized the "urgency" of the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanese soil, in line with the terms of the cease-fire, which includes a deadline of Jan. 26, as outlined in the truce agreement that came into effect at the end of November.
During his press conference closing his tour, Guterres said that his visit had been "meaningful and productive" and said he had perceived a positive atmosphere that gave him the feeling that "Lebanon is on the verge of a future full of hope."
Responding to a question about guarantees regarding the cease-fire that came into effect on Nov. 27 between Israel and Hezbollah, he assured that the entire international community "wanted peace" in Lebanon and that "no one will accept that the war resumes."
U.N. Secretary-General also called for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and the deployment of the Lebanese Army across the entire country. "Only then will it be possible to open a new page for peace," he stated. According to the terms of the cease-fire agreement, which came into effect on Nov. 27 and ended 14 months of war between Israel and Hezbollah, Israeli forces are required to leave Lebanon within a 60-day period. Hezbollah, on the other hand, is expected to withdraw to the north of the Litani River.
Salam and Berri
On Saturday, after his meeting with President Joseph Aoun, Guterres continued his tour in the capital, meeting with designated Prime Minister Nawaf Salam at his residence in Kraytem, Beirut.
"I know that the Secretary-General will be determined to seek diplomatic support to ensure the Israeli withdrawal by the scheduled date and that he will intensify his efforts for the conference mentioned by Emmanuel Macron yesterday," said Nawaf Salam following his meeting with Guterres, as reported by NNA. During his visit to Lebanon on Friday, French President Macron announced a new international conference for Lebanon's reconstruction.
"With the changing situation in Syria, we need to begin preparing for the safe and dignified return of Syrian refugees in Lebanon," added the designated Prime Minister. "Lebanon must regain its position as a center for Middle Eastern dialogue," said the UN chief.
Guterres then traveled to Ain al-Tineh to meet with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. "I have complete confidence that Lebanon will soon have a government that represents all components of its people and ensures the security of all its citizens," Guterres said, as quoted by NNA. "The Israeli presence in southern Lebanon must end by the agreed deadline so that the Lebanese army can fully exercise its authority," he added.
For his part, Berri stated, "Israel must be forced to withdraw from the Lebanese territories it still occupies, in accordance with the terms of the cease-fire agreement, and halt its systematic violations and destruction of villages, fields and agricultural land," the agency reported.
Hezbollah weapon cache visits
The day before, Guterres visited the troops of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to express his "gratitude for their courage and determination" in carrying out their peacekeeping mission in what he described as "the most difficult environment in the world." During his field visit, the Secretary-General inspected some of the UNIFIL positions that had been struck by the Israeli army during the 2024 conflict, according to U.N. spokesperson Farhan Haq during a press briefing on Friday.
Guterres also stated that the continued occupation of areas by the Israeli military and the conduct of military operations in Lebanese territory by Israel constitute "violations of Resolution 1701," which represent a "permanent risk" to the security of the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). He further noted that since Nov. 27, peacekeepers had discovered over 100 weapon caches belonging to Hezbollah or other armed groups in southern Lebanon. During his meeting with General Edgar Lawandos, commander of the South Litani sector of the Lebanese Armed Forces and representative of these forces on the Lebanese Cease-fire Monitoring Committee, Guterres reminded that the United Nations' presence was "temporary" and emphasized that "UNIFIL is here to do everything possible to support the Lebanese Armed Forces."
Meeting with President Macron
Later in the afternoon, the Secretary-General returned to Beirut where he met with French President Emmanuel Macron, who was also visiting the city. "They had an in-depth discussion on the developments in the region," reported the U.N. spokesperson. In the evening, Guterres joined U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert and UNIFIL Force Commander General Aroldo Lázaro for a working dinner organized by caretaker Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati.
