The Head of Mission and Force Commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Major General Aroldo Lázaro Sáenz, affirmed the mission’s commitment to supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) on Saturday. He emphasized that the full redeployment of the LAF throughout southern Lebanon is a crucial step toward establishing state authority in the region.
In a press statement released on the occasion of Lebanon’s 82nd Independence Day, Major General Sáenz stated, “UNIFIL remains committed to supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces, our partner in strengthening stability in the South. The complete redeployment of the army in all areas of the South is considered a fundamental step to extend the authority of the state.”
He further added, “Full respect for the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Lebanon is central to progress in the implementation of Resolution 1701 and to creating the conditions for lasting stability.”
Major General Sáenz also noted that UNIFIL peacekeepers gathered at the mission’s headquarters last week to commemorate the national occasion, reaffirming their support for Lebanon, its stability, and its sovereignty. UNIFIL’s continued support for the LAF remains a cornerstone of its mission in the region.
The UN resolution 1701, passed in 2006, aims to resolve the Lebanon-Israel conflict. The call for the Lebanese army deployment is seen as a move to assert government control and minimize the presence of non-state actors in the south, contributing to a more stable and secure environment.
The statement highlights the ongoing efforts to foster stability in southern Lebanon and underscores the importance of collaboration between UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces in achieving lasting peace.
