The United Nations Plans To Strengthen UNIFIL To Provide Post-Arrest Support In Lebanon

Patrol of UNIFIL troops from Italy. (Source: UNIFIL)

JAKARTA - The United Nations plans to strengthen its peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, to provide better support to the Lebanese army after the ceasefire is approved, but will not directly enforce the ceasefire, the head of the UN peacekeeping force said.

The peacekeeping mission known as UNIFIL was deployed in southern Lebanon to monitor the demarcation line with Israel, an area that has been the site of hostilities for more than a year between Israeli forces and the Hezbollah militant group.

Diplomatic efforts to end fighting have been centered on Resolution 1701, which ended the final round of conflict between the two fully armed enemies in 2006 and required Hezbollah to remove fighters and weapons from the region between the border and the Litani River, which flows about 30 km (about 20 miles) from the southern border of Lebanon.

"I think it must be very clear. Carrying out Resolution 1701 is the responsibility of the parties," Lacroix told reporters Thursday, on the sidelines of a three-day visit to Lebanon.

"UNIFIL has a supporting role, and there are many substances in that supporting role," he added.

UN Security Council resolution 1701 was set on August 11, 2006, containing calls for a ceasefire between Israel-Hezbollah.

Israel has for years accused UNIFIL of failing to implement the resolution, and now says peacekeeping forces must step aside while Israeli forces fight Hezbollah.

UNIFIL forces firmly refused to leave their posts, although Israel repeatedly attacked and injured peacekeepers.

Lacroix said the peacekeeping mission would work closely with the Lebanese army to "support the implementation of the settlement" and had discussions with contributor countries to assess UNIFIL's needs, including advanced technology, without having to increase troop numbers.

After the ceasefire, UNIFIL's capacity could be expanded to include clearing of explosive devices and reopening roads.

"We don't always think in terms of numbers, we think in terms of what the needs are and how these needs can be met," he said.

Lacroix added that the United Nations and several member states have repeatedly asked all parties to ensure the safety of peacekeeping forces, although incidents do not stop, the incident did not escalate following international condemnation.