United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for Israel to withdraw its forces from Lebanese territory, urging respect for Lebanon’s sovereignty and the strengthening of peace in the region.
Speaking at a press conference in Beirut on Saturday, Guterres emphasized the “essential” need for the Israel Defense Forces to leave Lebanon within the agreed timeframe, coinciding with the deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces across southern Lebanon.
“Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected,” he stated. “The Lebanese state must have full control of weapons throughout Lebanese territory.”
The UN chief underscored the importance of fully implementing UN Resolution 1701, adopted in 2006 to end the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah and to ensure lasting peace between Israel and Lebanon.
“The United Nations is committed to supporting the parties to uphold their obligations under Resolution 1701 and ensuring that the cessation of hostilities holds,” Guterres said. “This would lay a platform for the full implementation of the resolution and its ultimate goal: a permanent ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel.”
Guterres expressed confidence that the ceasefire agreement between Hezbollah and Israel would be respected. He called on both parties to honor their commitments and utilize established mechanisms to address any outstanding issues.
Highlighting the United Nations’ role in assisting Lebanon, Guterres pledged to intensify support for the country’s recovery and reconstruction efforts amid ongoing economic and political challenges.
“Working hand-in-hand with Lebanese authorities and partners, the United Nations will intensify our support for recovery and reconstruction across Lebanon,” he affirmed.
The Secretary-General also commended the efforts of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which has been instrumental in maintaining peace along the border. He noted that UNIFIL troops have carried out over 730 missions in close cooperation with the Lebanese Armed Forces, facilitating redeployment to more than 50 positions. Additionally, UNIFIL has supported 39 humanitarian missions in coordination with various organizations.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
