On his third visit to Lebanon, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix stressed that Security Council Resolution 1701 remains the framework to return to stability — and build on it.
Concluding a three-day visit to Beirut, Lacroix underscored in meetings with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Defense Minister Maurice Sleem, Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib and Lebanese Army Commander General Joseph Aoun, “the need for both Lebanon and Israel to commit to fully implementing their obligations under the resolution.”
Lacroix also met with members of the diplomatic corps and representatives of UNIFIL’s troop-contributing countries and visited a UNIFIL position in Mansouri and the mission’s headquarters in Naqoura.
“Peacekeepers from almost 50 troop-contributing countries continue to do their utmost to implement their mandated tasks, in very difficult and challenging conditions,” Lacroix said, adding, “By doing this, they are helping to create and hold the space for a political and diplomatic solution to emerge. We are extremely grateful to them for their dedication and commitment.”
“I reiterate the UN's call for a cessation of hostilities and a full implementation of Resolution 1701.”
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