Beirut, March 19 (IANS) Aroldo Lazaro Saenz, head of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), reaffirmed on Wednesday the mission’s steadfast commitment to supporting stability, fully implementing UN Resolution 1701, and reducing tensions through dialogue to achieve a permanent ceasefire.
The UNIFIL chief made the remarks at a ceremony marking the 47th anniversary of the mission’s establishment at its headquarters in southern Lebanon’s Naqoura, which was attended by local Lebanese leaders, senior Lebanese army officers, other UN officials, and peacekeeping forces.
“Our hearts go out to those who have lost their loved ones and homes,” he said, also paying tribute to the 339 peacekeepers who have lost their lives in pursuit of peace in southern Lebanon since 1978.
The UN official emphasised that following the ceasefire understanding reached between Israel and Lebanon in November last year, the mission is “entering a new phase, working alongside the Lebanese army to clear roads, carry out repairs, and remove explosives.”
However, he stressed that cooperation with the Lebanese government and local authorities is essential to ensuring the mission’s safe and efficient operation, adding, “The Lebanese Armed Forces must remain the sole guarantor of security in the south.”
He also underscored that “the successful implementation of Resolution 1701, which calls on Lebanon and Israel to work toward a permanent ceasefire and forms the basis of UNIFIL’s mandate, can only be achieved through joint efforts to prevent escalation, maintain stability, and strengthen state authority in southern Lebanon,” Xinhua news agency reported.
The UN Security Council established the UNIFIL in March 1978 to monitor the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and assist the Lebanese government in restoring effective control over the area. Its mandate has been expanded following the 2006 war to include supervising the ceasefire and supporting Lebanese forces in maintaining security.
The mission has adhered to its duties during the latest round of cross-border fire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon since October 2023, which was triggered by the Gaza conflict.
–IANS
int/as
Disclaimer
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by TodayIndia.news and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.
Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of TodayIndia.news We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.
Every effort is made to keep the website up and running smoothly. However, TodayIndia.news takes no responsibility for, and will not be liable for, the website being temporarily unavailable due to technical issues beyond our control.
For any legal details or query please visit original source link given with news or click on Go to Source.
Our translation service aims to offer the most accurate translation possible and we rarely experience any issues with news post. However, as the translation is carried out by third part tool there is a possibility for error to cause the occasional inaccuracy. We therefore require you to accept this disclaimer before confirming any translation news with us.
If you are not willing to accept this disclaimer then we recommend reading news post in its original language.
