In a show of solidarity with UNIFIL’s work in south Lebanon, Ambassadors and representatives of dozens of countries contributing troops to UNIFIL as well as Member States of UN Security Council visited the UN peacekeeping mission’s headquarters and the Blue Line today.

The visit of the Ambassadors and representatives of 38 countries, including all five permanent members of the Security Council, is the first such event since the recent hostilities. UNIFIL currently has peacekeepers from 47 countries.

Welcoming the visitors to the mission headquarters in Naqoura, its head and Force Commander, Lt. Gen. Aroldo Lázaro, said that such visit would not have been possible due to the unfavourable situation on the ground only a few months ago. 

“Your presence here is an encouraging indication of the increased stability in the south and the progress made since the understanding on a cessation of hostilities came into effect on 27 November 2024,” said the UNIFIL head. 

“The support of UNIFIL’s troop-contributing countries - and the countries who contribute in other ways - is essential to restoring stability to south Lebanon and along the Blue Line. I thank them and their peacekeepers serving on the ground for their continued contributions.”

The delegation visited two UNIFIL positions along the Blue Line, near Marwahin and in Labbouneh. 

Ambassadors expressed their appreciation for peacekeepers’ important work under difficult circumstances to support the implementation of the ceasefire agreement and United Nations Security Council resolution 1701, including facilitating the redeployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces to the south.