Latest news with #UNIFIL
LBCI
an hour ago
- General
- LBCI
Behind closed doors: UN envoy meets Hezbollah official to discuss Resolution 1701 and Israeli violations
Report by Wissam Nasrallah, English adaptation by Yasmine Jaroudi In a discreet meeting held at an undisclosed time and place, Hezbollah's Coordination and Liaison Unit chief, Wafiq Safa, met with the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, to discuss key issues surrounding U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701. According to Hezbollah, the primary focus of the meeting was the implementation of Resolution 1701, with Safa reiterating the group's commitment to the framework while presenting what he described as ongoing Israeli violations of the accord. The conversation reportedly expanded to include the upcoming renewal of the U.N. peacekeeping force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, which is scheduled for a vote at the end of August. Israel is said to be applying pressure to prevent the renewal or at least reduce the mission's mandate. The meeting also addressed concerns over potential escalation along the southern border and emphasized the need for all parties to adhere to Resolution 1701 to maintain regional stability strictly. While Hezbollah insisted the meeting was part of routine coordination and not intended for message delivery or backchannel negotiations, the involvement of Hennis-Plasschaert—who previously served as the Netherlands' first female defense minister and U.N. Special Representative for Iraq—adds weight to the encounter. Her presence suggests a deeper diplomatic interest, especially given the current tensions and Israeli pressure on both Hezbollah and the U.N. mission. No official statement has been issued from the U.N. envoy's office regarding the meeting or its contents. However, the mere occurrence of such a meeting is seen by some observers as potentially significant, raising questions about whether Plasschaert was seeking to convey specific international concerns or simply assessing Hezbollah's position amid mounting geopolitical pressure.
The Journal
6 hours ago
- Politics
- The Journal
Ireland issues formal rebuke of Israel via UN after troops came under fire in Lebanon
IRELAND HAS ISSUED a formal rebuke of Israel after its troops fired in the direction of Irish peacekeepers in Lebanon this week. The Irish troops, who are stationed in Lebanon on a UNIFIL peacekeeping mission and were on patrol with the Lebanese Armed Forces, were fired upon by Israeli troops on Thursday. No-one was injured in the incident. On the direction of Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Simon Harris, a formal 'demarche' has been served on the Israeli Government via the UN, the Department of Foreign Affairs said today. The demarche states that Ireland considers the incident in the Lebanese village of Yaroun 'completely unacceptable in terms of the safety of peacekeepers and the execution of their mandated duties'. 'These concerns are held at the highest levels' of the Irish government and the Defence Forces, the rebuke added. Advertisement The Tánaiste, who described the incident as 'reckless, intimidatory, totally unacceptable and a clear breach of the international rules surrounding peacekeeping',was briefed yesterday by the new Chief of Staff, Brigadier General Rossa Mulcahy. Harris paid tribute to 'our personnel deployed with UNIFIL, who are operating in an increasingly volatile and tense environment'. Today in Lebanon, an Israeli strike killed one person in the south of the country despite a six-month-old supposed ceasefire. Israel said it targeted a Hezbollah militant. The state-run National News Agency said a man was killed when an Israeli drone targeted his car as he was heading to pray at a mosque in Deir al-Zahrani, about 20 kilometres from the Israeli border. Israel has continued to bomb Lebanon despite the 27 November truce that sought to halt more than a year of hostilities with Hezbollah, including two months of open war. The Israeli army said the strike killed a regional commander 'of Hezbollah's rocket array'. With reporting form AFP Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Nahar Net
a day ago
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Berri voices support for UNIFIL after recent clashes with locals
by Naharnet Newsdesk 8 hours Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri voiced support for United Nations peacekeepers after recent clashes between the peacekeepers and locals in south Lebanon, the latest in the southern town of Yater. "I support the UNIFIL peacekeepers whether they are wrong or right. Locals, even if they are supporters of Amal or Hezbollah, should try not to overreact," Berri told local al-Joumhouria newspaper in remarks published Friday. "We know that Israel is against the UNIFIL's presence in south Lebanon and has targeted them many times. This alone is enough for us to support their presence," he said, adding that "their presence has also made a positive impact on the economy in southern villages." Clashes have increased in recent weeks, with residents insisting that any UNIFIL patrol should be accompanied by Lebanese Army troops. The U.N. mission was created to oversee the withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon after Israel's 1978 invasion and today UNIFIL operates in southern Lebanon at the request of the Lebanese government and under a mandate from the U.N. Security Council, but Hezbollah supporters in Lebanon frequently accuse the U.N. mission of collusion with Israel. Israel meanwhile accuses the peacekeepers of turning a blind eye to alleged Hezbollah military activities in southern Lebanon.
The Independent
a day ago
- General
- The Independent
Ireland to lodge letter of objection to Israel over shots fired close to patrol
Ireland is to lodge a formal letter of objection with Israel after shots were fired in the vicinity of peacekeepers in southern Lebanon. The incident came during a joint Irish United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) and Lebanese Armed Forces patrol close to the Blue Line on Thursday. None of the Irish personnel – who were recently deployed to Unifil as part of the 126th Infantry Battalion – were injured in the incident. Oglaigh na hEireann said on Thursday that all personnel were reported to be safe and well, and that they continued to monitor the situation in southern Lebanon. Irish Minister for Defence Simon Harris said he had been briefed by the incoming chief of staff Brigadier General Rossa Mulcahy. He said just before midday, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) had fired shots into the patrol area. He also confirmed that a formal letter of objection from Ireland would be lodged with Israel via the UN on Friday. 'Brigadier General Mulcahy provided me with a detailed briefing on the serious events that took place yesterday involving Irish Defence Force personnel in southern Lebanon,' Mr Harris said. 'It's clear to me that the actions of the IDF were reckless, intimidatory, totally unacceptable and a clear breach of the international rules surrounding peacekeeping. 'Brigadier General Mulcahy has assured me that all of our troops impacted are safe and well. They have been debriefed following the incident and patrols are continuing as normal today. 'I want to pay tribute to our personnel deployed with Unifil, who are operating in an increasingly volatile and tense environment. 'My officials in the Department of Defence will today formally lodge a protest letter over what happened yesterday and this will be communicated directly with Israel.'
LBCI
a day ago
- Business
- LBCI
Between resistance and diplomacy: UNIFIL's mandate under pressure amid Israeli objections and southern tensions
Report by Yazbek Wehbe, English adaptation by Mariella Succar UNIFIL forces in southern Lebanon are facing pressure from two fronts: Israel, which questions the mission's continued relevance, and some residents who oppose the peacekeepers' movements into towns without coordination with the Lebanese Army. Tensions have escalated over the past two weeks, prompting Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri to urge southerners to 'avoid any mistakes with UNIFIL that could be used by those seeking to end its mission.' With exactly two months to go before the mandate renewal, the situation remains unclear. Tel Aviv is not in favor of UNIFIL's continued presence and, at best, supports a drastic change to its mission—an approach backed by Washington. France, along with Italy and Spain, which contribute the largest number of troops, opposes any major changes to the mandate. Lebanon's Foreign Ministry has launched a series of diplomatic contacts aimed at securing support for maintaining UNIFIL's current mandate, troop levels, and funding. Beirut argues that this transitional period following the recent war requires UNIFIL's continued cooperation with the Lebanese Army, particularly in mine clearance and in supporting civilians through social and economic development programs. Russia and China already backed Lebanon's position. Beirut is also counting on support from France, which is seen as sympathetic. France holds the so-called 'penholder' role on the U.N. Security Council for the UNIFIL file, meaning it drafts and negotiates relevant resolutions. The United Kingdom, for its part, remains somewhere between the French and American positions. A French diplomatic source told LBCI that the current context is not suitable for changing UNIFIL's mandate. However, technical and operational adjustments may be introduced, which could potentially affect troop contributions from countries with smaller deployments. Budget constraints are also in focus, especially following the U.S. decision to reduce its funding to the United Nations. The source noted that coordination with Lebanon's Foreign Ministry on the renewal process began weeks ago, and once Beirut presents its position paper, France is expected to lend its support. As the Israeli lobby moves swiftly to build momentum inside the United Nations, Lebanon is still preparing its proposal. But time is quickly running out for Beirut—pressure is mounting to act fast.
