31 Aug2023

UNIFIL'S MANDATE RENEWED

The United Nations Security Council adopted resolution 2695 (2023) today, extending UNIFIL's peacekeeping mandate for another year. The new resolution reaffirms UNIFIL's mandate under resolution 1701 (2006) and subsequent resolutions.

The resolution reaffirms UNIFIL's authorization to conduct its operations independently while continuing to coordinate with the Government of Lebanon, in respect for Lebanese sovereignty.  

The ultimate goal under resolution 2695, as under resolution 1701, remains a permanent ceasefire and long-term solution to the conflict.

16 Aug2023

TRIPARTITE PRESS RELEASE FOR 16 AUGUST 2023

UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Aroldo Lázaro chaired a Tripartite meeting with senior officers of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and Israel Defense Forces (IDF) at a UN position in Ras al-Naqoura today.
 
Discussions focused on the situation along the Blue Line, air and ground violations, and other issues within the scope of UNIFIL's mandate under UN Security Council Resolution 1701 (2006) and subsequent resolutions. 
 
Major General Lázaro expressed his concern over a series of incidents along the Blue Line in recent months which have increased tension. UNIFIL chief urged the parties to continue to avail of UNIFIL's liaison and coordination mechanisms while avoiding unilateral actions. He also appealed for engagement in Blue Line talks to address outstanding issues highlighting the importance of positive signals by both parties ahead of the Security Council consideration of UNIFIL's mandate renewal.
 
Since the end of the 2006 war in south Lebanon, regular Tripartite meetings have been held under UNIFIL's auspices as an essential conflict-management and confidence-building mechanism. Today was the 162nd such meeting. Through its liaison and coordination mechanisms, UNIFIL remains the only forum through which the Lebanese and Israeli armies officially meet.

JOINT STATEMENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT GROUP FOR LEBANON ON THE EVE OF 4 AUGUST

The International Support Group for Lebanon (ISG) met on 3 August, on the eve of the anniversary of the tragic explosions at the port of Beirut on 4 August 2020.  All members expressed their solidarity with the families of the victims, and with those whose lives and livelihoods have been affected.  It urged authorities to swiftly complete the investigation into the port explosions, so that the truth may be known and justice rendered.  
The ISG observed with deep concern the accelerating economic deterioration that has severely affected all segments of Lebanese society, its institutions and services.  The ISG called upon Lebanese authorities, as a matter of national responsibility, to urgently take every possible step to improve the living conditions of the people of Lebanon.   Members welcomed the upcoming conference co-chaired by France and the United Nations to address the humanitarian needs of Lebanon's most vulnerable people.
The ISG noted that one year has now passed without a government. Members took note of the designation of a new Prime Minister and called on leaders to support without delay the formation of an empowered new government that implements meaningful reforms. The Group recalled the importance of holding elections on time in order to safeguard a democratic Lebanon and to restore the trust and hope of its people.
Note to Editors
The International Support Group has brought together the United Nations and the governments of China, France, Germany, Italy, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States, together with the European Union and the Arab League.  It was launched in September 2013 by the UN Secretary-General with former President Michel Sleiman to help mobilize support and assistance for Lebanon's stability, sovereignty and state institutions.

Statement of the International Support Group for Lebanon 16 June 2023

Taking note of the June 14 vote in Parliament, the International Support Group (ISG) regrets that Lebanon has yet to elect a president after 12 inconclusive presidential election sessions.

After eight months with neither a president nor a fully functioning government, the ISG is deeply concerned that the current political stalemate is exacerbating the erosion of state institutions and undermining Lebanon's ability to address the country's pressing socioeconomic, financial, security and humanitarian challenges.

For the sake of the Lebanese people and the stability of the country, the ISG urges the political leadership and Members of Parliament to assume their responsibilities and prioritize the national interest by electing a new President without further delay.

Any continuation of the unsustainable status quo will only further prolong and complicate Lebanon's recovery and compound the hardships faced by the people.

The ISG urges the authorities to expedite the adoption and implementation of a comprehensive and inclusive reform agenda to put the country on a path to recovery and sustainable development.

The ISG continues to stand by Lebanon and its people.

Note to Editors

The International Support Group has brought together the United Nations and the governments of China, France, Germany, Italy, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States, together with the European Union and the Arab League.  It was launched in September 2013 by the UN Secretary-General with former President Michel Sleiman to help mobilize support and assistance for Lebanon's stability, sovereignty and state institutions.

Secretary-General Appoints Hervé Lecoq of France Deputy Head of Mission for United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon

SG/A/2201
8 MAY 2023

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced today the appointment of Hervé Lecoq of France as Deputy Head of Mission and Director of Political and Civil Affairs at the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

Mr. Lecoq succeeds Jack Christofides of South Africa, to whom the Secretary-General is grateful for his contribution to the efforts of the United Nations to promote peace and stability in southern Lebanon.

Mr. Lecoq brings over 30 years of experience in peace operations, political affairs and development.  Most recently, Mr. Lecoq has served as Deputy Director of the Europe and Central Asia Division of the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations from 2019 to 2023.

Mr. Lecoq held various positions in the former Department of Peacekeeping Operations, including as team leader for the Great Lakes, then for Europe, Latin America and Asia, and as senior special assistant to the Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations.  Mr. Lecoq served in peacekeeping operations in Sierra Leone, Côte d'Ivoire and Haiti (after the 2010 earthquake).  He also occupied various functions for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in Ankara and New York, and for the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Cairo and Jerusalem.

He holds a master's degree in agricultural engineering (diplôme d'ingénieur agronome) from AgroParisTech, France.  He is fluent in French and English.

United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Joanna Wronecka’s Tweets:

@JWronecka Feb 3 2023

1/2 Two years after the killing of #LokmanSlim the wheels of #justice are yet to move. An impartial, thorough and transparent investigation must be held without further delay.

2/2 The same applies for numerous other crimes that remain unresolved in #Lebanon. In the course of Lebanon's progress, the law must take its course.

2 Feb2023

EXTENDING COMMAND OVER LEBANON'S TERRITORIAL WATERS

The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Navy has taken on more operational tasks in the central and northern sections of Lebanon's territorial waters. This is part of the long-term goal of transferring tasks that UNIFIL's Maritime Task Force is currently responsible for the Lebanese authorities.

For two months, MTF units and peacekeepers from the Naval Equipment and Training Center of UNIFIL's Maritime Task Force intensively trained, supported, and evaluated LAF Navy personnel at the Navy's operations center. The operations center, known as "C1", is located in Beirut's Naval Base, right next to the capital's port. Upon successfully completing this two-month assessment period, the LAF Navy is now taking over the Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO) command for the central and northern sections of Lebanon's territorial waters.

"Maritime interdiction operations" is the process of monitoring and hailing vessels to help prevent weapons and related material from entering Lebanon. Since 2006, these operations in Lebanon have been coordinated by one of the patrolling UNIFIL MTF ships. As of now, the LAF Navy will monitor two-thirds of the country's territorial waters and coordinate UNIFIL MTF ships to conduct hailings at sea in that area. The overall responsibility of monitoring and securing Lebanon's territorial waters remains with UNIFIL's Maritime Task Force, as per Security Council Resolution 1701.

To honor this milestone, Maritime Task Force Commander Rear Admiral Michael Busse of the German Navy presented certificates of excellence for outstanding achievement by LAF Navy personnel over the past few months, commending the LAF Navy for its tenacity and progress.

More cooperation and training is planned to reach the ultimate goal of transferring responsibility for maritime interdiction operations for UNIFIL's entire Area of Maritime Operations (AMO) to the LAF Navy at C1. Germany has been in command of UNIFIL's Maritime Task Force since 2021 and operates the Naval Equipment and Training Center, which works closely with LAF Navy personnel to achieve this goal.

UNIFIL's Maritime Task Force is the first naval force to be part of a UN peacekeeping mission. It was deployed since October 2006 upon request of the Lebanese Government to assist the Lebanese Armed Forces Navy in securing its territorial waters and to help prevent the unauthorized entry of arms or related material by sea into Lebanon.