Lebanese President: UNIFIL Withdrawal Means Absence of International Oversight on Occupation Aggressions

Beirut, Oct 14 (KUNA) -- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun reaffirmed on Wednesday his country’s commitment to the continued presence of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), warning that its withdrawal would create a security vacuum in the south and deprive the region of any international oversight over Israeli occupation attacks.

In a statement, the Lebanese presidency quoted Aoun as saying during a meeting with the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, that “the circumstances resulting from Israeli attacks and the occupation of southern villages and towns, most of which fall within UNIFIL’s mandate, make the presence of international forces highly significant, as their withdrawal would create a vacuum with negative repercussions on the security situation in the region.”

He pointed to the social, humanitarian, health, and educational roles undertaken by international forces, which have “forged strong ties between them and southern citizens who feel at ease with their presence, trust their role, and insist on their staying in their towns and villages.”

President Aoun expressed hope that the Security Council would respond to Lebanon’s request for UNIFIL to remain in place during the coming year, a period the Security Council had previously designated as a withdrawal timeline for these forces, particularly if the Israeli occupation forces withdraw to the international borders and the Lebanese Army deploys, in which case it would need to benefit from the essential humanitarian and logistical services provided by UNIFIL.

For his part, the UN official stated that the United Nations’ objective is to support efforts to restore stability to Lebanon and the region and to reestablish full Lebanese sovereignty, noting that the UN “remains capable of playing a role in this regard.” He added that discussions on the future of the UN presence “will now begin in the Security Council, and it is important, indeed necessary, for Lebanon’s voice to be heard on this matter.”

Lacroix met with several officials, including Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, who reiterated “the rejection of any vacuum after the end of UNIFIL’s current mandate,” emphasizing Lebanon’s need for an international force to carry out monitoring, reporting, and liaison duties. Salam expressed “Lebanon’s openness to exploring any new international formula for this force, while insisting that its mandate must be issued by the UN Security Council.”

Lacroix also met with Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri, who affirmed the unity of the official Lebanese position regarding the insistence on the presence of these international forces and their mission, in implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701. He noted that there is consensus and parliamentary momentum in Lebanon toward the international community and the United Nations in this regard. Berri stressed “Lebanon’s continued efforts at various levels to safeguard its sovereign rights, protect its borders, and liberate the last remaining piece of its territory from Israeli occupation.”

Lacroix also discussed with Lebanese Army Commander General Rodolphe Oueidat the fundamental role of UNIFIL in efforts to restore stability to southern Lebanon. The Lebanese Army command said in a statement that discussions covered “the necessity of exploring possible alternatives for the post-UNIFIL phase, and the dangers of a vacuum following its departure and its negative impact on stability were reaffirmed.”

Accompanying Lacroix during his meetings were the UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, Imran Rizvi, and the UNIFIL Force Commander, Major General Dioudato Abaniara. (End) A.Y.B./S.M.A.