Lebanon and Ireland call for international presence in southern Lebanon after UNIFIL

According to the statement made by the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Recci and Irish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Defense Helen McEntee met in the capital Beirut.

During the meeting, Recci and McEntee discussed the steps to be taken after the end of UNIFIL's mandate.

Expressing their concerns about the security gap that will arise after UNIFIL's withdrawal from the south of Lebanon, the ministers agreed that an international presence should remain in Lebanon's border region.

Irish Minister McEntee received the views of the other side on what role the European Union, of which his country currently holds the term presidency, could play in this process.

Lebanese Foreign Minister Recci expressed his gratitude to Ireland for its "role in the peacekeeping force and the sacrifices made by its soldiers".

Drawing attention to the sensitivity of the situation in Lebanon, Recci expressed his concerns about the possibility of "a new war that Hezbollah is preparing for at the request of Iran."

Recci reiterated that Israel should withdraw from the country and stop its attacks.

Pointing to government decisions regarding the state monopoly of weapons in Lebanon and the ban on Hezbollah's military and security activities, Recci emphasized the role of the Lebanese army and the importance of supporting it to fulfill its duty.

Establishment of UNIFIL and resolution 1701

Following the start of the civil war in Lebanon, Israel entered Lebanese territory in 1978 and occupied the south of Lebanon. That same year, the UNSC called on Israel to withdraw its forces from Lebanon.

At the request of Lebanon, the UNSC established UNIFIL on 19 March 1978, with the aim of confirming the withdrawal of Israeli forces, restoring peace and security, and supporting the Lebanese government in reestablishing its authority over the south of the country.

The UNSC unanimously adopted resolution 1701 on August 11, 2006, calling for an end to the violent war between Lebanon and Israel that started on July 12, 2006.

Decision No. 1701 envisages Israel's withdrawal behind the Blue Line and the disarmament of the region between this line and the Litani River in Lebanon, and that only weapons and military equipment belonging to the Lebanese army and UNIFIL will be kept there.

UNIFIL's mandate, which has been operating in southern Lebanon for nearly half a century, expires at the end of the year.