Lebanese President Expresses Welcome for Any Alternative European Force if UNIFIL Mandate Cannot Be Extended

Beirut -- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun affirmed on Tuesday that if there is no response to Lebanon’s request to extend the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Lebanon welcomes the participation of any European force under a formula agreed upon with the European Union or with the relevant countries, in coordination with the United Nations. The Lebanese presidency stated in a press release that President Aoun conveyed to Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence, Helen McEntee, Lebanon’s desire for UNIFIL to complete its mission during the coming year, which is designated for its withdrawal under a UN Security Council resolution, given the importance of its presence in the south for monitoring developments and assisting the Lebanese Army in deploying along the southern international border after the withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces. He also emphasized the importance of the humanitarian, social, and health tasks carried out by the international forces to help the residents of southern villages, who welcome the presence of peacekeepers on their land. He pointed out that any vacuum in the south resulting from UNIFIL’s departure “could have negative repercussions on stability in the region,” considering that the logistical and technical support that an alternative force to UNIFIL could provide would have a positive impact in facilitating the Lebanese Army’s mission and the life of Lebanese southern society. President Aoun noted that the Israeli occupation has not complied with the agreement reached in negotiations in Washington, and continues its attacks on southern villages and towns through shelling, destruction, and bulldozing of homes. He clarified that Lebanon’s communications with the United States “in its capacity as guarantor of the agreement to put an end to these attacks” have yielded no results; indeed, Israel is erecting obstacles to the implementation of the agreement, further complicating matters and preventing the Lebanese Army from extending state sovereignty up to the international border, halting armed manifestations, and restoring stability. President Aoun stated that Lebanon looks to the support of friendly countries, including Ireland, “to pressure Israel to halt its attacks, withdraw from the south, return Lebanese prisoners, and enable the state to rebuild destroyed villages and towns and return their residents.” On domestic affairs, the Lebanese president affirmed the government’s continuation of economic and financial reforms in cooperation with the Parliament, despite the difficult conditions the country has endured, expressing his welcome for any support Ireland may provide Lebanon in humanitarian, social, military, and educational fields. He concluded by appreciating Ireland’s contribution to the international forces operating in the south since 1978, highlighting the Irish military personnel who fell on southern soil. The Lebanese presidency quoted the Irish minister as affirming her country’s continued participation in peacekeeping operations in the south, support for the Lebanese Army and Lebanese civil society, as well as cooperation with public administrations and institutions to provide the assistance Lebanon needs, noting that this support will continue despite the difficult conditions the region is experiencing. Earlier that day, Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Defence, and Trade Helen McEntee met with Lebanese Minister of Justice Adnan Nasser, expressing her country’s interest in participating in the civilian aspect of the European mission in Lebanon after UNIFIL’s mandate ends at the end of the current year. In a press statement after the meeting, she said, “We are fully determined that as one chapter of our current UNIFIL mission concludes, we will be ready to remain and participate in the second chapter.”

It also emphasized the desire to cooperate with the United Nations to explore whether another type of mission could be considered. (End) A.Y.B./N.S.A.