Iran Press/America: This decision, confirmed by senior UN officials, comes as tensions escalate in the region.
Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, announced the decision on Monday following a briefing to the Security Council. “The decision was made that UNIFIL [UN Interim Force in Lebanon] would currently stay in all its positions" despite the calls made by the Israeli military to vacate the positions in the vicinity of the Blue Line, Lacroix said.
The situation has been carefully assessed, he added, with the safety of peacekeepers being a top priority. The decision was endorsed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres earlier on Monday.
Rising Tensions and Security Concerns
In recent days, UNIFIL positions near the Blue Line have come under fire by the Israelis, leading to injuries among peacekeepers. The UN Security Council expressed its deep concern over these attacks during closed-door consultations. Pascale Baeriswyl, Switzerland’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and the Security Council President for October, conveyed the council's alarm over the ongoing hostilities.
"Several peacekeepers have been wounded," Baeriswyl stated, urging all parties to ensure the safety of UNIFIL personnel and calling for respect for UN premises. The council reiterated its support for the peacekeeping mission, emphasizing its crucial role in maintaining regional stability.
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