As UNIFIL approaches end of its mandate, the continued relevance and importance of the essential tasks its peacekeepers have been performing in support of the people and security entities in south Lebanon stand out.
UNIFIL peacekeepers impartially monitor and report developments on the ground while working around the clock through established liaison channels to prevent escalation and facilitate deconfliction. Over the past years, peacekeepers also played a key role in mine action and by facilitating humanitarian access in their area of operations.
In the wake of the latest hostilities, UNIFIL peacekeepers have actively engaged in reopening roads and restoring access to vital civilian infrastructure, while detecting and neutralizing explosive hazards across their area of operations.
The head of UN Peacekeeping as well as the UNIFIL head of mission have hailed the important contribution of UNIFIL as a stabilizing factor in south Lebanon.
In comments to UNIFIL News, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, said although UNIFIL’s withdrawal plan is in place, significant challenges remain, including due to “continued military activities in the area of operations, poor road conditions, explosive hazards, restricted movement and access, and that the Lebanese Army is yet to deploy throughout southern Lebanon.”
“UNIFIL and its peacekeepers have been deeply embedded in the fabric of communities across southern Lebanon for nearly five decades,” said Mr. Lacroix. “The mission’s departure under the current volatile circumstances – and without having a robust alternative support arrangements – would create a significant security vacuum.”
Highlighting the importance of continued international support for Lebanese State institutions, the UN Peacekeeping chief said the Lebanese Army needs significant amount of international support – in terms of training, budget and equipment.
“International support is also more crucial now than ever in terms of detecting and removing threats posed by explosive hazards – more so now due to the latest hostilities,” he added.
UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Diodato Abagnara said peacekeepers are fully committed to carry out mandated tasks under Security Council Resolution 1701 until the very last day of the mission’s mandate, and ordinary civilians are at the core of UNIFIL’s activities.
“We continue to support communities affected by recent hostilities, including through deconfliction, humanitarian access and direct donations,” he said. “Our liaison and coordination channels remain open round-the-clock, serving as a vital mission component for deconfliction and facilitating life-saving missions.”
