UN peacekeeping chief says army redeployment in south crucial to war solution

The U.N. peacekeeping chief whose force monitors Lebanon’s south said redeploying Lebanese troops there is crucial for any solution to more than a year of Hezbollah-Israel clashes that escalated into war in September.

"The redeployment of the Lebanese armed forces is an absolutely central element to any durable settlement," Under Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix told reporters during a briefing in the Beirut area.

Concluding a three-day visit to Lebanon, Lacroix underlined that Security Council resolution 1701 remains the framework to return to stability—and build on it.

In meetings with senior Lebanese officials, including Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Defense Minister Maurice Sleem, Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib and Lebanese Army Commander General Joseph Aoun, Lacroix underscored the need for both Lebanon and Israel to commit to fully implementing their obligations under the resolution.

Meeting with members of the diplomatic corps and representatives of UNIFIL’s troop-contributing countries, he expressed sincere gratitude for their continued support to the mission, and to security and stability along the Blue Line.

"Peacekeepers from almost 50 troop-contributing countries continue to do their utmost to implement their mandated tasks, in very difficult and challenging conditions," said Lacroix. "By doing this, they are helping to create and hold the space for a political and diplomatic solution to emerge. We are extremely grateful to them for their dedication and commitment."

In a visit to a UNIFIL position in Mansouri and the mission’s Naqoura headquarters, Lacroix met with civilian and military peacekeepers, including some who had been injured in direct attacks and exchanges of fire.

"I reiterate the UN's call for a cessation of hostilities," Lacroix said. "The U.N. supports diplomatic efforts towards that goal and a full implementation off resolution 1701."

Thursday's visit was Lacroix’s third visit to Lebanon this year.