UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti sounded the alarm on Friday over the increasing intensity of cross-border fire exchange. He expressed concern over a “potential risk of a sudden, wider and uncontrollable conflict.”
In an interview with Voice of Lebanon radio, Tenenti called on all parties to cease fire and return to full implementation of resolution 1701, “as it represents the path towards stability and peace.”
“UN Security Council will take a decision on UNIFIL’s mandate renewal,” he said, affirming that “UNIFIL are here to fulfill their tasks at the request of the Security Council.”
Noting that “resolution 1701 provided more than 17 years of relative stability thanks to the parties’ commitment to it,” Tenenti cautioned that “the resolution now faces a lack of practical commitment from Israel and Lebanon to fully implement it.”
“1701 remains the most effective framework to address the current situation and work towards a long-term settlement of the conflict,” he added.
Tenenti pointed out that “all parties are concerned about the ongoing hostilities; a political and diplomatic solution is the only possible solution in the long term.”
“Any solution involving violence will only lead to more destruction and death on both sides,” he continued.
When asked if such messages or impressions were conveyed during recent meetings with Lebanese officials, he replied, “It is essential to maintain open channels of communication with all parties to de-escalate tensions and minimize the risk of misunderstandings that could lead to an escalation of the conflict, which no one wants.”
