Within the framework of following up on the parliamentary initiative aimed at supporting the continuation of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), a delegation of MPs delivered, today, the Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations in Lebanon, Mr. Jean Arnault, a letter addressed to His Excellency the Secretary-General of the United Nations and members of the Security Council, signed by eighty-six Lebanese MPs, in the presence of Mr. Hervé Lowcock, Deputy Head of the UNIFIL Mission and Director of Political and Civil Affairs. The delegation included MPs: Ibrahim Mneimneh, Edgar Trabelsi, Bilal Al-Hashimi, Salim Al-Sayegh, Adnan Trabelsi, Firas Hamdan, Melhem Khalaf, Michel Moussa, Najat Aoun Saliba, and Hagop Terzian, who participated, on behalf of the eighty-six signatory representatives, in delivering this letter. The delegation handed over to Mr. Jean Arnault: ● The signed letter in Arabic. ● A copy of the book in French. ● A copy of the book in English. ● An accompanying letter addressed to him. ● A list of the names of the eighty-six signatory representatives. During the meeting, members of the delegation presented the content and dimensions of the initiative, stressing that the signature of eighty-six representatives from various political blocs and affiliations reflects a unified national will that adheres to the continued presence of UNIFIL in southern Lebanon, based on its primary role in maintaining security and stability, and keeping pace with the implementation of Security Council resolutions, especially Resolution 1701, in a way that contributes to preventing escalation and providing the necessary conditions for any steps that lead to stabilizing and establishing stability. Tranquility and security. The delegation stressed that the reasons that called for the establishment of UNIFIL under Resolutions 425 and 426 still exist, and that the continuation of violations and the fragility of the security situation necessitate the maintenance of this international force and the strengthening of its ability to fully implement its mandate, especially in this delicate stage that Lebanon and the region are going through. The representatives stressed that the role of UNIFIL is not limited to maintaining security stability, but rather constitutes an integrated element that keeps pace with the next stage on more than one level, by keeping up with Implementing any arrangements or understandings that may be adopted, contributing to the operations of clearing mines and unexploded ordnance, continuing monitoring and verification work, supporting the Lebanese army and the Lebanese state in extending its authority and sovereignty over the entire Lebanese territory, and providing all necessary elements to enable the state to carry out its responsibilities in accordance with the relevant international resolutions. The delegation also stressed that the presence of UNIFIL not only constitutes a basic guarantee for the people of the south, but also represents an embodiment of International legitimacy and the United Nations’ commitment to its responsibility to maintain international peace and security, and that ending its mission or reducing its role before the conditions for which it was created are available will lead to a dangerous vacuum that may reflect negatively on the security of Lebanon and the region, and weaken the presence of international legitimacy at a stage that requires more international involvement. The discussion between the members of the delegation and Mr. Jean Arnault also addressed the role that the United Nations can play, through UNIFIL, in keeping pace with the next stage, and the importance of maintaining its role as an objective and neutral international party. It enjoys the confidence of the international community, contributes to stabilizing stability, and keeps pace with the implementation of international commitments and resolutions, in a way that preserves the security of Lebanon and the stability of the region. The delegation asked Mr. Jean Arnault to convey the message to His Excellency the Secretary-General of the United Nations and to the members of the Security Council, along with the letters and documents attached to it, in confirmation of the importance of this parliamentary initiative, which expresses the position of a broad majority of the Lebanese Parliament, and its adherence to the United Nations, to international legitimacy, and to the role that UNIFIL plays in protecting security and stability, and supporting The Lebanese state in extending its sovereignty and implementing international resolutions. For his part, Mr. Jean Arnault confirmed that he will transfer the message and the documents attached to it to His Excellency the Secretary-General of the United Nations and members of the Security Council, in accordance with approved procedures, expressing his appreciation for this parliamentary initiative, and for the keenness it reflects on the continuation of cooperation between Lebanon and the United Nations, and on maintaining security and stability in southern Lebanon.
