Lebanese President Calls for Protection of Children and Civilians and Respect for International Law

Beirut, January 10 (KUNA) -- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stressed on Thursday the necessity of respecting international humanitarian law and protecting civilians, particularly children, emphasizing that the highest priority remains halting hostilities and putting an end to the suffering of the population. The Lebanese Presidency said in a statement that this came during President Aoun’s reception at Baabda Palace of Catherine Russell, Executive Director of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and her accompanying delegation, in the presence of the UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, Omar Rizq. The statement clarified that President Aoun called during the meeting for special attention to be given to children and families residing in areas south of the “Blue Line,” through the establishment of specific arrangements and programs ensuring their access to education, protection, and basic services. He added that the meeting addressed the severe challenges facing the education sector, with 436 schools damaged and more than 100,000 children at risk of being unable to reach their classrooms and schools due to the war, displacement, and the accumulation of previous economic and health crises. Aoun pointed to the human losses, noting that more than 263 children have fallen victim to violence, and warned of the “long-term” effects of poverty, interrupted education, rising risks of child labor, and deteriorating mental health on Lebanon’s future. The Lebanese President expressed his gratitude to UNICEF for its exceptional and continuous support to state institutions in the education, health, and water sectors, describing it as one of Lebanon’s most prominent international partners. He called on the international organization to continue leveraging its presence at international forums to keep Lebanon’s and its children’s needs at the forefront of donors’ attention and to mobilize additional funding. For her part, the Executive Director of UNICEF affirmed the priority of protecting children alongside supporting recovery and strengthening national systems capable of providing basic services, revealing that UNICEF is working to finalize the new Country Programme Document for Lebanon to address emerging humanitarian and educational needs and facilitate the return of families to their areas. (End) F.Z. / M.M.J.