UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged an Israeli pullout from Lebanese land within the stipulated time when he spoke at a news conference in Beirut on Saturday. The remarks were made as Guterres was wrapping up his two-day trip to Lebanon with a call on all sides to also respect the international agreements that they signed.
“It is now imperative that the Israel Defense Forces leave the territory of Lebanon and at the same time the Lebanese Armed Forces be present in southern Lebanon within the agreed time,” Guterres said. His comments emphasized the need to start paying respect to Lebanon’s sovereignty and to ensure that the Lebanese state establishes its full control over its territory.
The Secretary- General reiterated the need for compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 1701 in its totality. The Resolution was passed on August 11, 2006, after the 34-day war between Israel and Hezbollah the Resolution primarily aimed at providing the following; cease fire, withdrawal of the Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and deployment of a UNIFIL monitored zone in Lebanon.
It violated the basic principles of Resolution 1701 calling for Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity to be respected and for the Lebanese state to have full control over weapons in Lebanese territory, Guterres said. He further said that the entrance of the Lebanese Armed Forces in to the south would be an important towards the pacification of the area and the achievement of sustainable security.
Guterres also reiterated the UN’s determination to continue assisting both Lebanon and Israel in meeting their responsibilities under Resolution 1701. “The United Nations — also through the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon and UNIFIL — remains committed to supporting the parties in respecting their obligations under resolution 1701 and ensuring that the cessation of hostilities endures,” he said.
Referring to the broader implications of the implementation of the resolution, the Secretary-General said at the press conference, “[A] convincing full implementation of the resolution would also lay a platform for the full implementation of the resolution and its ultimate purpose, the permanent ceasefire on the part of and with Lebanon and Israel.”
Guterres visit to Lebanon comes as nuances of conflict escalates between the parties and political instability, which threatens the shakiness of the ceasefire. His comments highlighted the urgent need for all parties to work towards a lasting and sustainable solution to the conflict.
Asked about guarantees to keep the ceasefire in place, Guterres said that he was confident in current agreements. “I have no doubt the agreement reached between Hezbollah and Israel will be implemented,” he said, indicating he is hopeful both sides will commit to not intensifying hostility.
The SG and vice versa also took note of the difficulties that Lebanon has to cope with (i.e., in addition to the serious economic crisis and the political paralysis, Lebanon is still dealing with the lasting effects of the Beirut port explosion in 2020). He stressed the need for international support for Lebanon’s recovery and stability, calling upon the international community to continue its involvement in the needs of Lebanon.
And when Guterres ended his visit, his outspoken plea for the withdrawal of Israeli troops and for a strengthening of Lebanese sovereignty carried significant weight as a key stage for regional peace. His focus on Resolution 1701 is a warning of the obligation of the international community to apply the rules of diplomacy and of conflict resolution.
Passage, with unanimous approval, by the UN Security Council (Resolution 1701, August 2006), came after a catastrophic war between Israel and Hezbollah. The resolution sets out measures to stop further fighting, including disarmament of armed groups in Lebanon and strengthening of the Lebanese state’s authority. Despite its adoption, challenges in fully implementing the resolution have persisted, with tensions along the border remaining a flashpoint for regional instability.
