Latest news with #UNIFIL


LBCI
3 hours ago
- Politics
- LBCI
UN Peacekeeping Chief wraps Lebanon visit: Resolution 1701 implementation a critical condition for peace in the region
United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, concluded his visit to Lebanon as part of a broader regional tour. During his stay, Lacroix held high-level meetings with senior Lebanese officials, members of the diplomatic corps, and the leadership of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), marking his final official engagement with Major General Aroldo Lázaro, the Head of Mission and Force Commander of UNIFIL, whose mandate is also ending. According to a UNIFIL statement, Lacroix visited several areas near the Blue Line in South Lebanon, which have been among the most affected by recent clashes. He also toured UNIFIL's maritime area of operations off the coast of Naqoura aboard a vessel from the U.N. peacekeeping mission's naval unit. Throughout his visit, Lacroix reiterated UNIFIL's pivotal role in maintaining stability in South Lebanon and underscored the mission's essential support in implementing U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701. He emphasized the fragile nature of the current relative calm along the Blue Line and the importance of safeguarding and strengthening it amid growing regional instability. In his discussions with Lebanese officials, Lacroix reaffirmed the joint efforts of UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces in upholding the cessation of hostilities and advancing the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701. "In all my visits, I have stressed the importance of sustained political backing for the implementation of Resolution 1701 as a critical condition for peace and security in the region," Lacroix said. He also reaffirmed the mission's commitment to supporting local communities, assisting the parties in implementing the resolution, and continuing close coordination with the Lebanese Armed Forces as they redeploy across the south. He expressed deep appreciation for the work of U.N. peacekeepers operating under increasingly complex and challenging circumstances. He reiterated the U.N.'s unwavering support for peace and security for all civilians affected by the conflict.


MTV Lebanon
3 hours ago
- Politics
- MTV Lebanon
UN Peacekeeping Chief reaffirms UNIFIL's role as he concludes visit
United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, concluded a visit to Lebanon today as part of a planned tour to the region. Key highlights included his meetings with senior Lebanese officials, members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Lebanon, UNIFIL leadership, and fellow peacekeepers. This was his last official meeting with outgoing Head of Mission and Force Commander Lt. Gen. Aroldo Lázaro. He visited and saw firsthand some of Lebanese areas near the Blue Line that were hardest hit by the recent conflict. The UN peacekeeping chief, onboard a UNIFIL Maritime Task Force ship, also inspected the area of maritime operation off the coast of Naqoura. Throughout his engagements, Mr. Lacroix reaffirmed the crucial role of UNIFIL in maintaining lasting stability in south Lebanon and the mission's critical support to the parties in the implementation of Security Council resolution 1701. He acknowledged the delicate nature of the current relative calm along the Blue Line and stressed the importance of preserving and consolidating it, especially in light of concerning regional developments. In meetings with Lebanese officials, Mr. Lacroix underscored UNIFIL's vital role – together with the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) – in sustaining the cessation of hostilities understanding and advancing the implementation of resolution 1701. "In all my engagements, I underscored the importance of continued political support for the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701 as a prerequisite for peace and security in the region," said Mr. Lacroix. "I also reaffirmed the Mission's commitment to supporting local communities, helping the parties implement Resolution 1701, and working in close coordination with the Lebanese Armed Forces as they continue their redeployment in southern Lebanon." The peacekeeping chief also expressed appreciation for the work of UN peacekeepers operating under the increasingly complex and challenging conditions, and reaffirmed the UN's unwavering support for peace and security for all civilians affected by the conflict.


Nahar Net
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Report: Envoys tell Lebanon that Israel won't withdraw or halt attacks
by Naharnet Newsdesk 20 June 2025, 14:41 International envoys who traveled to Beirut and Tel Aviv have told Lebanon that 'Israel does not intend to make any step as to halting its aggression' against Lebanon, al-Akhbar newspaper reported on Friday. 'Nothing indicates that it intends to withdraw from the five points or to stop its attacks across Lebanon,' the daily quoted the envoys as saying. It added that the ceasefire committee may convene next week after Italian general Diodato Abagnara assumes his mission as UNIFIL's new commander on June 24.

Barnama
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Barnama
155 MALBATT 850-12 Personnel Honoured With UN Medals In Lebanon
GENERAL KUALA LUMPUR, June 20 (Bernama) -- A total of 155 officers and personnel from the Malaysian Battalion (MALBATT) 850-12 were awarded the United Nations (UN) Medal during a ceremonial medal parade held at Camp Marakah, Lebanon, yesterday. In a statement issued today, MALBATT 850-12 confirmed that the recipients included 20 officers, 134 rank-and-file personnel, and one Administrative and Diplomatic Officer. 'Leading the list of honourees was MALBATT 850-12 commander Colonel Johan Effendi Mohd Shalleh, receiving the medal as a symbolic recognition of his leadership and key role in the successful execution of the mission. 'The medals were then presented to senior officers and all other personnel by UNIFIL Western Sector commander, Brig Gen Nicola Mandolesi,' the statement said. The medal parade was led by MALBATT 850-12 deputy commander Lt Col Firdaus Shah Budin and accompanied by a military band from the Ghanaian Battalion (GHANBATT). Also in attendance was Malaysian Ambassador to Lebanon, Azri Mat Yacob, who took part in the medal presentation as a gesture of the Malaysian government's support and appreciation for the battalion's contributions to international peacekeeping. 'The awarding of the UN Medal is formal recognition of MALBATT 850-12's contributions to regional peace and their professional and dedicated execution of international duties,' the statement said. MALBATT 850-12 began its deployment under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in November 2024, during a particularly volatile period marked by conflict in southern Lebanon and heightened regional tensions involving Israel and Iran - factors that have severely strained local political stability and security. 'In this context, the presence of MALBATT 850-12 plays a vital role in supporting UNIFIL's mandate to assist the Lebanese Government in strengthening security control and monitoring within their area of operations.


New Straits Times
18 hours ago
- General
- New Straits Times
155 Malbatt 850-12 personnel honoured with UN medals in Lebanon
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 155 officers and personnel from the Malaysian Battalion (Malbatt) 850-12 were awarded the United Nations (UN) Medal during a ceremonial medal parade held at Camp Marakah, Lebanon, yesterday. In a statement today, Malbatt 850-12 confirmed that the recipients included 20 officers, 134 rank-and-file personnel, and one administrative and diplomatic officer. "Leading the list of honourees was Malbatt 850-12 commander Colonel Johan Effendi Mohd Shalleh, receiving the medal as a symbolic recognition of his leadership and key role in the successful execution of the mission. "The medals were then presented to senior officers and all other personnel by UNIFIL Western Sector commander, Brig Gen Nicola Mandolesi," the statement said. The medal parade was led by Malbatt 850-12 deputy commander Lt Col Firdaus Shah Budin and accompanied by a military band from the Ghanaian Battalion (Ghanbatt). Also in attendance was Malaysian Ambassador to Lebanon Azri Mat Yacob who took part in the medal presentation as a gesture of the Malaysian government's support and appreciation for the battalion's contributions to international peacekeeping. "The awarding of the UN Medal is formal recognition of Malbatt 850-12's contributions to regional peace and their professional and dedicated execution of international duties," the statement said. Malbatt 850-12 began its deployment under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in November 2024, during a particularly volatile period marked by conflict in southern Lebanon and heightened regional tensions involving Israel and Iran - factors that have severely strained local political stability and security. "In this context, the presence of Malbatt 850-12 plays a vital role in supporting UNIFIL's mandate to assist the Lebanese Government in strengthening security control and monitoring within their area of operations. "Malbatt has also successfully built strong cooperation with the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and carried out their responsibilities," the statement said. In addition to their peacekeeping duties, Malbatt 850-12 had actively engaged in humanitarian initiatives throughout their mission, including providing medical services, distributing food aid, and organising outreach programs for orphans, it added. – Bernama