Caretaker Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib affirmed on Friday that “UN decisions are binding for Lebanon,” in reference to the recent resolution extending the annual mandate of the UN peacekeeping force in south Lebanon (UNIFIL).
“We accept the recent decision, as our concern is stability and peace in the south,” Bou Habib stated.
He explained that “the decision made last year under Chapter 7 (of the UN charter) was convincing, but we wanted to revert to Chapter 6, which underlines the need for cooperation between the host country and the international force. So we proposed a formula that requests coordination with the Lebanese state.”
Bou Habib pointed out that “we did not get what we wanted,” as the Lebanese proposal was opposed by the majority of UN Security members with the exception of Russia and China.
“Last year’s decision put the emphasis on absolute freedom, and today an amendment was introduced to the new Resolution 2695: absolute freedom remains, but with the application of the headquarters agreement, which calls for cooperation with the host country,” he added.
He explained that voting for the draft resolution was delayed because it was a “blue version.”
“This version is generally considered final, but the penholder, France in this case, modified the printed version in blue ink to prevent any veto and to ensure that this does not mean the end of UNIFIL’s mission.”
He said that “the Lebanese Army does not accompany every UNIFIL patrol but rather escorts previously agreed-upon patrols in some villages,” noting that “last year, UNIFIL continued to act as if the rules of the engagement had never been changed (to totally free movement), and this is to their credit.”
Regarding Israel’s occupation of the northern part of the Shebaa Farms, Bou Habib clarified that “the outskirts of the town of Maroun al-Ras are Lebanese, while the Shebaa Farms are Syrian, and the violation began with Israeli cover for individuals who now hold Israeli citizenship.”
He denied that he has discussed the issue with US envoy Amos Hochstein, noting that the talks were limited to the demarcation of the borders as defined in 1949.
On another note, Bou Habib said he feared “a new influx from Syria due to the dire economic situation there.”
