The Lebanese Speaker of Parliament Receives a Memorandum Calling for Adherence to "UNIFIL"
Signed by 86 Deputies
Agencies2 min read
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The Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, Nabih Berri, received today, Tuesday, a memorandum signed by 86 deputies calling for adherence to the presence of the international force and reconsidering Resolution 2790, amid warnings of a "vacuum" that may result from its withdrawal.
Berri received a delegation of deputies headed by Deputy Melhem Khalaf, who explained after the meeting that the memorandum has the signatures of 86 deputies, considering it to express a "qualified majority" that adheres to the "UNIFIL" forces and calls for reconsidering Resolution 2790.
Khalaf stressed the importance of the continued presence of "UNIFIL" in the south as a "UN protective umbrella", explaining that the implementation of Resolution 2790 is linked to a set of obligations that include verifying the Israeli withdrawal, handing over the international force's positions to the Lebanese army, and re-establishing the state's authority over its entire territory.
Khalaf pointed to the existence of 33 "UNIFIL" points on the Blue Line, wondering how they could be handed over to the Lebanese state in the presence of occupied areas, considering that this makes the implementation of the resolution currently impossible.
He warned that the withdrawal of "UNIFIL" could expose the south to risks, primarily the vacuum, stressing that the greatest danger is that these forces leave and this vacuum occurs, which means fixing the occupation without strengthening the state.
He considered that the withdrawal of the international force would weaken the Lebanese state instead of enhancing its presence, in addition to its impact on stability.
He pointed to the role of "UNIFIL" in addressing frictions between the Lebanese and Israeli armies, citing what happened in Zoutar and Deir Mimas, and wondering about the third party that could take on this role in the event of its withdrawal.
Khalaf concluded by affirming adherence to "UNIFIL", based on Resolutions 425, 1701, and 2790, calling for keeping the international force, or any alternative military force under the UN umbrella.
