Beirut: The United Kingdom voted in favour of a Security Council resolution extending the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) for 16 months before an orderly withdrawal, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador James Kariuki, announced on Tuesday.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, Kariuki thanked France for its leadership in steering the renewal process, emphasizing that the UK has been a long-standing supporter of UNIFIL. He paid tribute to the mission's troops and staff, as well as those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service.
The British envoy expressed disappointment that the Council was unable to base its decision on a comprehensive evidence-based assessment of the consequences of UNIFIL's withdrawal. He cautioned that a premature departure could create a security vacuum that Hizballah might exploit, jeopardizing stability along the Blue Line and the prospects for a lasting political settlement.
Kariuki highlighted Israel's continued presence in southern Lebanon and its near-daily overflights and airstrikes, urging Israel to withdraw its forces and respect Lebanon's territorial integrity. Concurrently, he condemned Hizballah's attempts to retain weapons outside state authority, stressing that the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) must become the sole security provider in the South. He noted that the UK has supported the LAF for over a decade but emphasized that increased international backing is essential for the army to assume full responsibility.
Nineteen years since the adoption of resolution 1701, which set a framework for lasting peace across the Blue Line, Kariuki expressed regret that UNIFIL will withdraw before its full implementation. He urged all partners to intensify their efforts to establish the conditions necessary for security, stability, and a durable political solution in southern Lebanon.