UN Security Council Delegation Calls on All Parties to Adhere to Lebanon Ceasefire

On Saturday, a United Nations Security Council delegation urged all sides to maintain the year-old ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, highlighting support for Lebanon's exclusive state control over weapons during the conclusion of their visit.

The ceasefire, established in November 2024 to halt more than a year of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah militants, has faced violations as Israel continues strikes within Lebanon, citing the Iran-backed group as its target. Israeli forces remain stationed in five strategic areas in southern Lebanon.

Slovenian UN Ambassador Samuel Zbogar, representing the rotating presidency of the Council, told reporters, "Our visit to Beirut comes at a critical moment for the implementation of the November 2024 cessation of hostilities. It is essential that all parties adhere to this agreement, and we recognize the progress Lebanon has made this year."

He reaffirmed the Councils commitment to Lebanon's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence. Zbogar also highlighted the importance of fully implementing Resolution 1701, a 2006 Security Council decision underpinning the current truce, for regional security and stability.

Amid intense US pressure and concerns about further Israeli attacks, the Lebanese government has pledged to disarm Hezbollah. The army is set to dismantle the group's military infrastructure near the border by year-end before addressing other regions.

"We back the Lebanese government's efforts to ensure the state's monopoly over arms," Zbogar stated, urging stronger international support for Lebanons armed forces.

The delegation met senior officials, including President Joseph Aoun, and visited southern Lebanon near the Israeli border on Saturday to meet UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeepers. In August, the Security Council extended UNIFILs mandate until the end of 2026, with plans to withdraw the force the following year.

Zbogar noted that the visit allowed discussion of options for implementing Resolution 1701 after UNIFIL's departure, emphasizing that this will require detailed talks throughout 2026. He also stressed that peacekeepers safety must be guaranteed and that they should never be targeted, following a recent attack in which Lebanons army arrested six individuals.

President Aoun told the delegation that Lebanon seeks to avoid war with Israel, shortly after civilian representatives from both sides held their first discussions in decades.

Author: Zoe Harrison