UN Continues to Call for Timely Israeli Withdrawal from Southern Lebanon
Date: 2023-01-03 12:00
Source: United Nations
Summary:
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has once again called on Israel to withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon in accordance with Resolution 425, which was adopted in 1978.
The call came during a closed-door meeting of the UNSC on Thursday, January 3, 2023. According to diplomats familiar with the matter, the resolution was passed unanimously by all 15 members of the council.
Background:
Resolution 425 was adopted by the UNSC on March 19, 1978, in the wake of the 1978 South Lebanon conflict. The resolution called for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, as well as the withdrawal of all Israeli forces from Lebanese territory.
Israel initially withdrew its forces from most of southern Lebanon in 1983, but it maintained a presence in the so-called “security zone” along the border with Lebanon. This presence was justified by Israel on the grounds that it was necessary to prevent attacks by Hezbollah and other militant groups operating in Lebanon.
In 2000, Israel unilaterally withdrew its forces from southern Lebanon. However, the UNSC has maintained that Israel’s withdrawal was not complete, as it did not include the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Shebaa Farms, a disputed area on the border between Lebanon and Syria.
UNSC Statement:
In a statement issued after Thursday’s meeting, the UNSC reiterated its “grave concern at the continued violations of the Blue Line by both parties.” The Blue Line is the demarcation line between Lebanon and Israel, as established by the UN in 2000.
The statement also expressed concern at “the serious threat to peace and security in the region posed by the presence of armed groups and militias operating in Lebanon, especially Hezbollah.”
Reaction:
Israel has yet to respond to the UNSC’s latest call for withdrawal. Lebanon has welcomed the resolution, saying that it represents “a clear and unequivocal affirmation of Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Hezbollah has condemned the resolution, saying that it is “a hostile act against Lebanon and its resistance.”
Outlook:
It is unclear whether the UNSC’s latest resolution will have any impact on the situation in southern Lebanon. Israel has long resisted calls to withdraw its forces from the Shebaa Farms, and it is unlikely that this position will change in the near future.
Hezbollah, for its part, is likely to continue to operate in southern Lebanon, which it regards as a strategic asset in its ongoing conflict with Israel.
The situation in southern Lebanon remains tense, and the potential for further escalation remains high. The UNSC’s latest resolution is a reminder of the international community’s ongoing concern about the situation in the region.
UN continues to call for timely Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon
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