Beirut, July 24 (IANS) Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Friday called for the creation of an international force to assist the Lebanese army in the country’s south if the UN peacekeeping mission cannot remain in the country.
“Lebanon considers the continued presence of the international forces in the south to be the best option for the next phase. If that proves impossible because of procedures required at the UN Security Council, an alternative international force should be established to replace them,” the Lebanese presidency quoted Aoun as saying during his meeting with the European Union’s Ambassador to Lebanon, Sandra De Waele, in Beirut.
Aoun said such a force would help the Lebanese army clear southern areas, remove unexploded ordnance, and support the implementation of the US-brokered framework agreement signed between Lebanon and Israel in June, Xinhua News Agency reported.
Waele, for her part, said Lebanon is at a crossroads, its future hinging on stronger security, rebuilt institutions, and reform, adding that reaching an agreement with the International Monetary Fund would unlock international funding and help draw foreign investment.
Meanwhile, a delegation of Lebanese lawmakers on Thursday delivered a letter signed by 86 parliament members to UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jean Arnault, urging the renewal and continued presence of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Lebanon’s official National News Agency (NNA) reported.
The letter was handed to Arnault in Beirut as part of a parliamentary initiative supporting UNIFIL’s mission.
According to the NNA, the lawmakers said the broad cross-party support reflects a national consensus on the importance of maintaining UNIFIL’s presence in southern Lebanon, citing its role in preserving security and stability, monitoring the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, and helping prevent further escalation.
The delegation argued that the conditions that led to the establishment of UNIFIL remain in place due to continuing violations and the fragile security situation.
They said the peacekeeping force should retain its full operational mandate, especially during what they described as a critical period for Lebanon and the wider region.
–IANS
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