Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix and UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert held meetings on Tuesday centered on the escalation of hostilities across the Blue Line and the upcoming report by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the implementation of resolution 1701.
According to a press release issued by her office on Tuesday, Hennis-Plasschaert expressed grave concern over the mounting casualties, mass displacements and widespread devastation. “Lebanon now faces a humanitarian crisis of catastrophic proportions,” she said. She underscored that the machinery of war fails to address underlying issues or facilitate the safe return of citizens on both sides of the conflict. “Both sides now have another opportunity to end this tragic chapter,” she noted, reiterating that “resolution 1701 already has the foundation in place to put a stop to the dispute.”
“Neither side can afford another period of disingenuous implementation under the guise of ostensible calm,” Hennis-Plasschaert continued, stating that “this would only beget another war.”
Highlighting the importance of the Lebanese state's involvement, Hennis-Plasschaert stressed the need to address both southern and northern areas along the Litani River. She also raised concerns about the far-reaching economic repercussions of the conflict, exacerbating Lebanon's existing socio-economic challenges compounded by systemic corruption.
While acknowledging donor support, Hennis-Plasschaert urged for more substantial funding to meet the severity of the crisis, with the Flash Appeal currently only 23.5% funded
“Weary from an unrelenting cycle of crises, the resilient Lebanese people simply seek – and deserve – a sustainable way forward, once and for all,” Hennis-Plasschaert concluded.
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