UN Secretary-General António Guterres praised the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) for their unwavering commitment to peace during his visit to the mission's headquarters in Naqoura, south Lebanon, on Friday. In remarks that highlighted the critical role of UNIFIL peacekeepers, Guterres expressed his deep admiration for their courage and resilience in a challenging operational environment.

“It is such an honour to be with you after one of the most challenging periods imaginable,” Guterres told the peacekeepers, underscoring the vital contribution of UNIFIL in Lebanon, emphasizing that the mission was not only stationed along the Blue Line – the demarcation line between Lebanon and Israel – but was at the very forefront of peacekeeping efforts.

“I told the world that all of you are not just on the Blue Line of Lebanon, you are on the front line of peace,” he remarked.

The UNIFIL mission, which has been instrumental in maintaining peace and stability in southern Lebanon since its establishment, has faced significant challenges in recent years. Guterres acknowledged the difficult circumstances under which peacekeepers have operated, including the constant threat of violence and military activity.

“The UNIFIL mission is the most challenging environment for peacekeepers anywhere,” he said, referring to the frequent strikes across the Blue Line that peacekeepers have faced.

Despite these dangers, UNIFIL’s presence has been a cornerstone of de-escalation efforts. Guterres highlighted the bravery and dedication of the peacekeepers, who have continued their work under extremely difficult conditions.

“Day after day – month after month – you stood with bravery, dedication, and resilience in the face of strikes across the Blue Line,” he stated, adding that their continued service had been crucial in maintaining peace.

He also reiterated the importance of the decision to keep UNIFIL peacekeepers in place, ensuring that they could continue fulfilling their mandate under UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

“Your continued service – in line with the decision for peacekeepers to remain in position to implement your mandate under resolution 1701 – was essential and remarkable,” Guterres noted.

The Secretary-General praised the tangible impact of UNIFIL’s work, noting the mission’s role in deterring violence, supporting de-escalation, providing humanitarian aid, and protecting civilians.

“You showed the value of ‘blue helmets’ to deter violence, support de-escalation, provide humanitarian access, and protect civilians,” he affirmed. “Your contributions have been crucial in supporting the restoration of stability in southern Lebanon and along the Blue Line.”

Guterres further emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of peacekeepers, underscoring the international obligations that all parties must uphold.

“I have been crystal clear: all parties have an obligation to ensure the safety of our personnel,” he declared. “Attacks against UN peacekeepers are completely unacceptable. They are in breach of international law, against international humanitarian law and may constitute a war crime.”

Looking forward, Guterres expressed cautious optimism about the current period of relative calm in the region, which he described as a “long-awaited opportunity” to push for greater progress towards fully implementing Resolution 1701. He emphasized the need for sustained support to foster security and stability in both Lebanon and Israel.

“Now, thanks in no small part to your efforts, we are in a period of relative calm that needs to be nurtured,” he said. “This represents a long-awaited opportunity to support the parties make real progress towards fully implementing resolution 1701.”

The UN leader also called for the continued strengthening of UNIFIL’s capacities, including mine clearance and unexploded ordnance disposal, to allow peacekeepers to resume their monitoring functions.

“We will continue to work closely with troop-contributing countries to ensure you have strengthened capacities,” Guterres affirmed.

“I note that UNIFIL also uncovered over 100 weapons caches belonging to Hezbollah or other armed groups since November 27,” he revealed. This discovery, along with the presence of armed groups and unauthorized military activities in the region, represents a clear violation of the resolution and poses a risk to Lebanon’s stability.

“The presence of armed personnel, assets, and weapons other than those of the Government of Lebanon and of UNIFIL between the Blue Line and Litani River are also clear violations of resolution 1701,” he said. “They undermine Lebanon’s stability.”

The Secretary-General also reiterated the UN’s support for the Lebanese Armed Forces, noting their role as the “sole guarantor of Lebanon’s security” and the importance of strengthening their capacities in collaboration with UNIFIL.

“Your strong support for, and your closer coordination with, the Lebanese Armed Forces will be fundamental in supporting an enduring cessation of hostilities and realizing the ultimate goal of resolution 1701,” he added.

In conclusion, Guterres acknowledged the challenges that lay ahead but expressed his confidence that through collective efforts, peace could be achieved.

“The path ahead is full of challenge. But together we can help make good on this window of opportunity,” he said, offering his gratitude to the peacekeepers for their tireless work.

“Once again, thank you for all you have done – and all you are doing – for peace,” he concluded.