UNIFIL head stresses mission's commitment to easing tensions by fostering dialogue

As UNIFIL today, Wednesday completed 47 years of its establishment, its head and Force Commander, Lieutenant General Aroldo Lázaro, called for looking forward with hope following the recent devastating conflict.

Lázaro said the peacekeeping mission remains committed to easing tensions and fostering dialogue towards a permanent ceasefire.

The UNIFIL head was addressing a gathering of local Lebanese leaders, senior Lebanese Army officers and fellow U.N. personnel and peacekeepers to mark the day. This ceremony was held for the first time in two years, as it didn’t take place last year due to ongoing exchanges of fire across the Blue Line.

“Our hearts are with those, here among you, who have lost loved ones and homes,” said Lt. Gen. Lázaro, adding that, following the cessation of hostilities understanding reached last November, “we are entering a new chapter, working alongside the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) to clear roads, make repairs, and remove explosives.”

“However, UNIFIL’s ability to support LAF effectively will depend on the backing of the Lebanese government and local authorities, whose cooperation is essential to ensure the mission can operate safely and efficiently in carrying out its mandate,” he continued, adding that the Lebanese Army should remain the only security provider in the south.

The UNIFIL head stated that successfully implementing resolution 1701 -- which calls for Lebanon and Israel to work towards a permanent ceasefire and forms the basis of UNIFIL’s current mandate –- can only be achieved through "our joint efforts to prevent escalations, maintain stability, and reinforce state authority in southern Lebanon."

The UNIFIL head also paid tribute to the 339 peacekeepers who have given their lives for the cause of peace in south Lebanon since 1978.

On March 19, 1978, the U.N. Security Council established UNIFIL to confirm Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, restore international peace and security and assist the Lebanese Government in restoring its effective authority in the area. Following the 2006 war, the Council significantly enhanced UNIFIL’s mandate and capacity and assigned it additional tasks working closely with the Lebanese Army in south Lebanon.

Since a fresh round of exchanges of fire started in October 2023 and intensified in September 2024, the situation on the ground "has become even more complex, requiring resilience and adaptation," a UNIFIL statement said.

"However, UNIFIL’s mandate to support stability and implement resolution 1701 remains unchanged," it added.