Press Release: Ambassador Haley on the UN Secretary-General’s Recommendation to Renew the Mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon

New York City
August 7, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
On Friday, August 4, UN Secretary-General António Guterres submitted a letter to the Security Council recommending that the Council renew the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which is due to expire on August 31. In the letter, the Secretary-General called for the disarmament of all armed groups in Lebanon to strengthen the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and the authority of Lebanon's government. He also noted the illegal presence of armed personnel, weapons, and infrastructure inside UNIFIL's area of operations, and his intention to look at ways in which UNIFIL could enhance its efforts against them.
"We share the Secretary-General's strong desire to enhance UNIFIL's efforts to prevent the spread of illegal arms in southern Lebanon," said Ambassador Haley. "These arms – which are almost entirely in the hands of Hizballah terrorists – threaten the security and stability of the region. UNIFIL must increase its capacity and commitment to investigating and reporting these violations. The United States will continue to raise the threat posed by Hizballah as we seek significant improvements to UNIFIL when the Security Council renews its mandate this month."

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