Raggi, UN official discuss post-UNIFIL international presence in south Lebanon
Foreign Affairs Minister Youssef Raggi met UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix, in the presence of UNIFIL Force Commander Major General Diodato Abagnara and an accompanying delegation, for talks on developments in South Lebanon and the future of the international presence following the expiration of UNIFIL’s current mandate.
Raggi paid tribute to the sacrifices made by UN peacekeepers in safeguarding security and stability in South Lebanon, reiterating Lebanon’s position in favor of maintaining an international force to replace UNIFIL when its mission concludes at the end of this year.
Lacroix stressed the importance of preparing for the next phase, noting that the UN Security Council would soon begin negotiations on the matter.
He reaffirmed the United Nations’ commitment to playing a constructive role during the transition, while fully respecting Lebanon’s position.
Both sides agreed on the need to intensify efforts to overcome outstanding obstacles and ensure the continued presence of an international force under the UN flag in South Lebanon.
