UN Mission renew appeals for calm in Lebanon
Commemorating the 46th year since the establishment of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), peacekeepers called on all parties in the country involved in the fighting to fully commit to UN Resolution 1701.
UN Resolution 1701 has often been left neglected and was key in bringing a halt to the one-month war between Israel and Lebanon in the summer of 2006.
On March 19, Head of Mission and Force Commander Aroldo Lázaro said, “Resolution 1701 has been challenged by current events, but it remains as relevant and necessary as ever.
“We call on all parties to commit to implementing the resolution in full. Our more than 10,000 peacekeepers continue their critical monitoring, de-escalation, and liaison work, and we stand ready to support a peaceful resolution to the current situation.”
2023 was an incredibly challenging year for Lebanon, victims of economic and political turmoil as well as experiencing near daily skirmishes between Hezbollah and Israeli forces at the Southern Border since the start of Israel’s relentless offensive in Gaza.
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The situation in Gaza has sparked Hezbollah attacks on Israel in solidarity with fellow Iran-backed militant group Hamas as well as Yemeni rebels Houthis running rampant in the Red Sea, predominantly targeting Israeli ships.
Due to the ongoing tensions between Hezbollah and its neighbours, UNIFIL announced that there would be no ceremony marking the anniversary of the creation of the mission (March 19, 1978).
A commemoration usually takes place every year at their headquarters in Naqoura, a small city in southern Lebanon.
Lázaro also paid tribute to the civilian and military peacekeepers who have served with the mission over the years, including over 330 who have died serving for peace in the region.
“The sacrifice of those who lost their lives here is not in vain, our efforts today, in these very difficult circumstances, are a tribute to their memories. Their sacrifice motivates us to continue our work toward de-escalation in the short-term, and peace in the long-term.”
UNIFIL