Responding to a question concerning a request by Israel to vacate some UNIFIL positions, including those very close to the Blue Line, Lacroix said the peacekeepers “are currently staying in all their positions.”
“This is a decision that we have made after thorough consideration of all the elements, including the safety and security of our peacekeepers, but also the responsibility we have in regard to the mandate and the population,” he said.
UNIFIL was originally created by the Security Council in March 1978 to confirm the Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, restore international peace and security and assist the Lebanese government in restoring its effective authority in the area. After the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel, UNIFIL’s mandate was expanded to monitor the cessation of hostilities and to accompany the deployment of Lebanese armed forces throughout southern Lebanon as Israel withdraws its troops.
SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR) 