UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix today concluded the Lebanon leg of his regional visit, underscoring UNIFIL’s continuing role in preserving stability and advancing the implementation of Resolution 1701 through to the end of the mission’s mandate in December 2026, despite recent budgetary cuts.

Key highlights since his arrival on 5 January included visits to the UNIFIL area of operations, interaction with peacekeepers, aerial and ground tours of the Blue Line, meetings with senior Lebanese officials and members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Lebanon.

While in the UNIFIL Headquarters in Naqoura, the UN mission’s head and Force Commander, Major General Diodato Abagnara, briefed Mr. Lacroix on the work of the Mission under challenging circumstances and the situation along the Blue Line. 

Mr. Lacroix commended the UNIFIL leadership and peacekeepers for carrying out their mandated tasks under dangerous circumstances. “Their daily work to support regional security and stability continues despite ongoing risks to their own safety and security,” he said.

In his meetings in Beirut with senior Lebanese officials, including President Joseph Aoun, Speaker Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, ministers and chiefs of security entities, Mr. Lacroix expressed gratitude for their support for UNIFIL. They also discussed the preparation of options for the future of the implementation of Resolution 1701 after UNIFIL ceases operations at the end of 2026, as requested by the Security Council.

Mr. Lacroix left Lebanon this morning for Syria to visit the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) and continue his engagements in the region.