Lebanon's Aoun seeks extension of UNIFIL mandate, despite failure to prevent Hezbollah activity
Despite Aoun’s support for the UN peacekeeping forces, UNIFIL has long been criticized for failing to take action against Hezbollah’s military buildup in southern Lebanon.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is seeking an extension of the UNIFIL mandate, which is set to expire at the end of the year, according to a report from Lebanese media on Monday. Aoun explained that if the mandate is not extended, the alternative would be to establish an international force in the south, in cooperation with the Lebanese Army, ensuring their continued presence in the region.
Despite Aoun's endorsement of UN peacekeeping forces, UNIFIL has been widely criticized for not taking action against Hezbollah's military expansion in southern Lebanon. Resolution 1701, adopted in August 2006, called for UNIFIL to assist the Lebanese Armed Forces in establishing a weapons-free area between the Blue Line and the Litani River.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam communicated the same desire to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Human rights organizations, however, have expressed concern over the potential end of UNIFIL's presence. Louis Charbonneau, UN director at Human Rights Watch, emphasized that withdrawing the UN mission without a significant international force in place would leave Lebanese civilians in a precarious and potentially disastrous situation.
While UN missions are not a permanent solution, Charbonneau stated that peacekeepers play a critical role in deterring attacks on civilians and preventing human rights abuses.
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