UNIFIL, UNSCOL Stress Implementation of Resolution 1701 as Only Way to Move Forward

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon (UNSCOL) expressed their concern over developments across the Blue Line. In a joint statement issued Sunday, the two entities stressed that, in light of the deeply concerning developments along the Blue Line since this morning, the UNIFIL and UNSCOL call on all parties to cease fire and refrain from further escalation. The statement called for a cessation of hostilities and the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 as the only way to move forward, adding, "we will continue our contacts to strongly urge everyone to de-escalate." At least three people were murdered and two others were injured, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, as a result of the most violent Israeli raids on towns in southern Lebanon. In 1978, the UN Security Council decided to establish the UNIFIL force to confirm Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon, restore international peace and security, and assist the Lebanese government in regaining its effective authority in the region. The mission was modified twice as a result of developments in 1982 and 2000. In 2006, Security Council Resolution 1701 was issued, and according to it, other tasks were added to UNIFIL's mandate, including monitoring the cessation of hostilities, and accompanying and supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces during their deployment throughout southern Lebanon -including along the Blue Line- while Israel withdraws its armed forces from Lebanon. Source: Qatar News Agency