UN Head of Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix started his tour on Tuesday by meeting with caretaker Prime minister Najib Mikati at the Grand Serail in the presence of UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Joanna Wronecka, UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Aroldo Lázaro and political advisor Hervé Lecoq.
Discussions tackled the developments in the South and the ongoing efforts to stop the war in Gaza.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister reiterated “the call for the international community to stop the Israeli aggression.”
“We are seekers of permanent stability and advocate for a lasting peaceful solution.” He echoed once again Lebanon’s “readiness to negotiate to achieve a long-term stability process in southern Lebanon and at the northern borders of occupied Palestine, and its commitment to international resolutions, ceasefire agreement and Resolution 1701.”
For his part, Lacroix urged all parties to “calm down and support the army in southern Lebanon, and continue close cooperation between it and the UNIFIL.”
Lacroix then met with caretaker Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdallah Bou Habib at the ministry. After the meeting, Bou Habib stated that “the Shebaa Farms are a fundamental pillar in the comprehensive solution and the cessation of tensions in the South, and it cannot be bypassed.”
“The army is a key partner in ensuring security and stability in the South. Israel targeted it with 34 attacks since the start of the Gaza war, which undermines peacekeeping and security efforts,” he added.
Bou Habib also noted that there “seems to be an American initiative to end the border issue between Lebanon and Israel by withdrawing from all occupied territories, including the Shebaa Farms and Kfarchouba hills,” adding that “if this happens, we would have turned the current occasion, namely the existing war, into a semi-final solution.”
When asked about Hezbollah’s position which states that “there is no talk of stopping anything before the cessation of military operations in the Gaza Strip,” Bou Habib bluntly stated that this is Hezbollah’s stance and they have the right to it.”
Lacroix then met with House Speaker Nabih Berri in Ain el-Tineh in the presence of UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Aroldo Lázaro and UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Joanna Wronecka.
