LIVE: UN press conference on peacekeeping and mine action

Peacekeeping Cannot Enforce Disarmament

Disarming unwilling groups by force constitutes war, not peacekeeping, and no troop-contributing countries would accept a combat mandate requiring them to fight wars thousands of miles from home.

Inability to Repel Invasions

Peacekeeping missions are not mandated to stop invading armies or enforce territorial withdrawals, as evidenced by UNIFIL's inability to prevent IDF incursions into Nakura despite these violations of Resolution 1701.

Access Requires Local Cooperation

Without active support from Lebanese Armed Forces and political will from the host government, UNIFIL cannot inspect suspicious locations or overcome obstacles to freedom of movement such as private property claims.

United International Front Essential

Successful peacekeeping requires Security Council consensus supporting both parties equally, whereas divisions between member states backing opposing sides inevitably doom political processes and stabilization efforts.

Lebanese State Authority Central

Effective disarmament of armed groups requires Lebanese Armed Forces action backed by political guidance, combined with socioeconomic reintegration programs rather than external military force.

Israeli Withdrawal Necessary

Israel must withdraw from occupied territories and facilitate security conditions to create the political space required for Lebanese authorities to exercise sovereignty south of the Litani River.

Massive Humanitarian Needs

Lebanon faces over 1 million displaced persons and 80,000 civilians remaining south of the Litani River, requiring stepped-up humanitarian convoys and support amid a devastating financial crisis.

Mission Mandate Reassessment

When post-conflict situations evolve into active belligerence, the Security Council must determine whether peacekeeping remains viable or if the mission requires mandate revision or termination.

Capacity Building Priority

Concrete international support must focus on building Lebanese Armed Forces and police capacity to secure territory, supplemented by humanitarian aid for a population recovering from economic collapse.