While members of the United Nations Security Council negotiate the renewal of the United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon (Unifil) Before a deadline of August 31, the role and future capacity of the mission are subject to intense debate.
Unifil has long been a stabilizing presence in southern Lebanon, working alongside the Lebanese armed forces, mediating between the parties and supporting local communities.
A key element of his mandate is to implement Security advice Resolution 1701This ended the hostilities of 2006 between the activists of Israel and Hezbollah.
However, challenges remain, Israeli military positions in Lebanon at the Hezbollah arsenal and the broader question of the way in which Resolution 1701 – which requires a complete end of hostilities – can be fully implemented.
According to the media, negotiations from the last problems are underway during the future of the mission, some diplomats warning of the risks of border stability and others expressing lukewarm support or pressures for a complete withdrawal.
Earlier this week, Andrea Tenenti, spokesperson for Unifil, spoke with Nancy Sarkis of the UN News to discuss the effectiveness of the mission, the risks of non-renewal and what is at stake for Lebanon, Israel and regional stability.
Unifil Peacekeepers on Patrol (file)
This interview has been changed for more clarity
UN news: Unifil’s mandate, which expires at the end of August, must be renewed by the United Nations Security Council. Why is this renewal important and how do you evaluate the effectiveness of Unifil so far?
Andrea Tenenti: The renewal comes after a long crisis that has devastated the region and destroyed most of the areas close to the blue line. This would show the importance of maintaining an international peacekeeping operation to help the Lebanese army [Lebanese Armed Forces, or LAF] in their complete deployment.
This is what we have done from the start, and in recent months since November, after the cessation of hostilities, the Laf has brought more troops to the south, and we worked with them to be deployed in all these positions, although the real challenge at the moment is that we still have Israeli defense forces. [IDF] positions present in the south of the country.
UN News: to what extent are the Lebanese armed forces ready to assume full responsibility for southern Lebanon without the support of peacekeepers, and what challenges are they confronted with this?
Andrea Tenenti: Currently, the Lebanese army does not have the capacities and the ability to fully deploy. There is a financial crisis in the country, and they need support for Unifil capacity and capacity, and financial support from the international community to have a sustainable presence and provide state authority to the south.
The Army and the Lebanese authorities have demonstrated their total commitment to resolution 1701. However, they cannot be fully deployed if the FDIs are still present; The presence of TSAhal in the South is a violation of Lebanese sovereignty and resolution 1701. There must be a commitment on both sides.
UN News: If the Unifil mandate is not renewed, what are the potential consequences of regional stability?
Andrea Tenenti: The situation is much better than before, but very, very fragile. Everything could compromise the situation in the south. A lack of renewal would create a real void for the stability of the region. This would create a precedent and a very dangerous situation for the stability of the country, and it would make impartial surveillance very difficult.
UN News: Unifil faced criticism from Lebanon, Israel and abroad. How do you react to these criticisms and what step can be taken to strengthen trust and credibility?
Andrea Tenenti: Criticism goes with the work of any peacekeeping mission. In order to be impartial, stay in the middle and try to help the parties to implement the mission mandate, you will be criticized by both parties.
Sometimes criticism is motivated by a false idea of the mission’s mandate. For example, resolution 1701 does not call Unifil to disarm Hezbollah. This is not our mandate. We have to support the Lebanese army to do it, and that’s what we are doing right now.
On the Lebanese side, we were criticized for having patrolled without the Lebanese army, but as part of 1701, we are responsible for operating either with the Lebanese army or independently.
It is something that the Lebanese army and the Lebanese authorities know very well. Sometimes it is a question of disinformation and disinformation on the role of the mission, and we try to counter this as much as possible.
UN News: What is your vision of the role of UNIFIL in the years to come, and do you see it as a short-term necessity or as part of a long-term regional security framework?
Andrea Tenenti: For the moment, Unifil is very necessary to support the stability of the region, bringing the Lebanese army to the south – and the return of state authority which has not been present for a very long time. But it must be a south without occupation – it is the only way to move forward.
The objective of the mission has always been to leave and put all our capacities and tasks to the Lebanese authorities, but it is necessary to do a lot. To ensure the stability of the region, we must be pragmatic on the calendar.
Publicado anteriormente en Almouwatin.
