The United Nations Security Council unanimously voted to extend the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) mission, patrolling the border with Israel since 1978. The Irish Defence Forces have been involved since the mission’s inception and currently have 340 personnel serving. The mandate is renewed annually, with the latest authorization set to expire soon.
Lebanon’s Deputy UN Ambassador expressed gratitude for the international support for peace and stability. Recent tensions between Hezbollah and Israel raised concerns, prompting Israel’s UN Ambassador to urge Lebanon to confront Hezbollah to prevent chaos.
The Security Council’s vote comes amidst increased regional tensions, with UNIFIL’s expanded mandate following the 2006 conflict. However, Hezbollah’s influence in southern Lebanon remains a challenge to UNIFIL’s operations. The US Ambassador emphasized the need to address Hezbollah’s obstruction of Resolution 1701 to support regional de-escalation.
The vote signifies global commitment to peace in Lebanon, highlighting the importance of maintaining stability in the region. Both Lebanon and Israel are urged to work towards peaceful resolutions to prevent further conflict.