A UN peacekeeping patrol. (Credit: Guilhem Dorandeu.)
BEIRUT — U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has received Lebanon’s official request to renew the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), submitted Wednesday, and will now forward it to the Security Council for review.
The council will have to decide on the matter in August. The Lebanese letter, sent via the Foreign Affairs Ministry, relied on the same text adopted last year for the renewal of the mandate, without any modifications, L’Orient Today learned from a source close to the Bustros Palace.
Lebanon, which has not yet approached the permanent members of the Security Council, is mainly relying on a majority of countries in favor of the renewal, notably European Union member states, primarily France, which, along with Italy, is the largest contributor in personnel, to guarantee the renewal that is garnering significant international attention.
On Wednesday, Foreign Minister Joe Rajji spoke with his Greek counterpart George Gerapetritis to seek Greece's support — as it currently sits on the Security Council — for the UNIFIL mandate. Especially since Israel has been seeking to end UNIFIL's mission for some time, considering its mission "ineffective." To make matters worse, peacekeepers are increasingly attacked by "residents" close to Hezbollah in southern Lebanon when they move around unaccompanied by the Lebanese Army.
Evidently, the United States has not yet made its decision on this issue, while France continues to reiterate the essential role of the peacekeepers tasked with supporting the Lebanese army in maintaining stability south of the Litani. More particularly in the current, extremely complex and volatile context, both locally and regionally, which necessitates the maintenance of this force.
A position also endorsed by the European Union, which reiterated Thursday, during a European Council meeting in Brussels, the importance of the peacekeepers' role.
In a statement published on the evening of June 26, the Council reaffirmed its support for Lebanon, with priority given to sovereignty and stability, as well as an essential role for UNIFIL. “The Council reiterated its support for the Lebanese people and praised the efforts of the new authorities to achieve economic and security stability.
The Council emphasized its support for the sovereignty of the Lebanese state and the integrity of its territory, recalling the crucial role played by UNIFIL in stabilizing the south of the country,” the statement said. The European Council also renewed its call for all parties to implement the ceasefire agreement signed on Nov. 27 and to implement the corresponding Resolution 1701.
At the opening of the Cabinet session, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam outlined the main discussions from U.S. envoy Thomas Barrack’s visit to Beirut earlier this month. Barrack brought forward a series of proposals aimed at implementing the security arrangements tied to the cease-fire that took effect on 27 Nov., bringing more than a year of hostilities to an end. These proposals were reviewed earlier today with President Joseph Aoun and are scheduled to be presented to Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri as part of internal consultations, ahead of a potential Cabinet vote.
When asked about the American proposals, Information Minister Paul Morcos declined to reveal specific details, stressing that “the government adheres to its ministerial declaration.” He emphasized that Israel must withdraw from the remaining five occupied points and cease its attacks before Lebanon’s army can fully deploy and the country can fulfill its commitments.
On whether the Cabinet will convene a session to address the topic of disarmament, Minister Morcos stated: “If political consultations result in a decision, the Cabinet will take it up, in accordance with Article 65 of the Constitution.”
He added, “This could take a few weeks. It will depend on the consultations led by the Prime Minister, who will meet tomorrow with the Speaker of the Parliament.” Article 65 of the Lebanese Constitution governs the government’s powers and outlines voting procedures depending on the nature of each decision.
Israel continues attacks on southern Lebanon, demolishes buildings in Bint Jbeil