UN Warns of 'Tragedy' if Agreements between Lebanon, Israel Are Violated
Arab World
Beirut - Asharq Al-Awsat
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on Lebanon and Israel to “show good faith and commit to maintaining stability along the Blue Line.” His comments came during a visit on Tuesday to the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeeping force deployed in southern Lebanon. He met with UNIFIL Commander, Major General Stefano Del Col and warned that any conflict could lead to “a tragedy with unpredictable consequences,” urging Lebanon and Israel to refrain from violating international resolutions. The UN chief concludes his four-day visit to Lebanon on Wednesday, following a series of meetings with political officials and representatives of the Lebanese confessions. In a statement, the UNIFIL said Guterres noted that the parties’ commitment to the full implementation of Security Council resolution 1701 and maintaining the cessation of hostilities across the Blue Line was essential. “It is very important that the parties understand that any conflict in this situation could be a tragedy with unpredictable consequences,” the UN chief said. “The parties must have good faith and must commit themselves to maintain the stability in the Blue Line.” He continued: “At the same time, it would be important for the parties to negotiate some aspects, in which there are still some doubts about the exact position of the Blue Line together with the negotiation about the maritime border…” The statement added that Del Col took the Secretary-General to UN Position 1-32A, the site of the regular tripartite meetings between senior Lebanese and Israeli military officials. “He was briefed on UNIFIL’s liaison and coordination mechanisms and the role they play in de-confliction and confidence-building,” it said. Guterres reiterated his call for continued international support to Lebanese army, which he said was essential for the stability of Lebanon. “The role that UNIFIL has been playing is largely responsible for the fact that no major confrontation has taken place in the border between Israel and Lebanon,” he stated.
from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3373001/un-warns-tragedy-if-agreements-between-lebanon-israel-are-violated
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