The United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, and UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander, Lt. Gen. Aroldo Lázaro, issued a joint statement on Tuesday marking the end of the period for the withdrawal of the Israeli army south of the Blue Line and the parallel deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) to positions in southern Lebanon, as outlined in the Cessation of Hostilities Understanding of November 26, 2024.

The statement, while acknowledging tangible progress, expressed concern over the delay in the full implementation of the withdrawal and deployment plan.

“Another delay in this process is not what we hoped would happen, not least because it continues a violation of United Nations Security Council resolution 1701 (2006),” the statement read.

Despite the setbacks, both Hennis-Plasschaert and Lázaro highlighted the significant progress made since the Cessation of Hostilities Understanding came into effect. They noted that the Israeli army had withdrawn from population centers in southern Lebanon, and the Lebanese Armed Forces had successfully deployed in challenging conditions. This deployment has allowed for the return of displaced communities and the restoration of critical services in the region.

The UN officials also underscored the importance of supporting Lebanon’s new leadership, which is committed to restoring state authority in the south and consolidating stability to prevent the return of conflict.

“The new Lebanese President and Government are determined to extend state authority completely in all areas in the south and consolidate stability to prevent conflict from returning to Lebanon. They deserve unwavering support in this endeavour,” the statement emphasized.

However, both officials cautioned that much work remains ahead to fully realize the commitments made in the November Understanding and in resolution 1701.

“Much of the hard work to realize the commitments made in the November Understanding, and in resolution 1701, is still ahead of us,” they stated. They called on both parties, Lebanon and Israel, to meet their obligations and work toward peace and stability in the region.

A key concern outlined in the statement was the need for sustained political commitment.

“A sense of safety among communities of southern Lebanon, who are grappling with the wide-scale destruction of their villages and towns, as well as residents of northern Israel who had to leave their homes, will not be built overnight and cannot come from a continuation of military operations. Rather, sustained political commitment is the only way forward,” the UN officials stressed.

In closing, Hennis-Plasschaert and Lázaro reaffirmed the importance of making the solutions envisioned by the November Understanding and resolution 1701 a reality on both sides of the Blue Line. They emphasized that the United Nations in Lebanon stands ready to continue supporting all efforts toward achieving long-term peace and stability.

“Ultimately, Lebanon and Israel must make the solutions envisaged by the November Understanding and resolution 1701 a reality, on both sides of the Blue Line. The United Nations in Lebanon stands ready to continue supporting all efforts in that direction,” the statement concluded.