UNIFIL calls on Israel and Lebanon to renew the Blue Line

"In order to resolve the conflicts, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), General Stefano del Cole, declared at a three-way meeting with senior IDF officers, Lebanese Armed Forces and UN troops. United, "he said. Renew the blue line. "

"The Blue Line needs to be renewed by working on the controversial points in order to build confidence that can be used to resolve the dilemma of the disputed areas in order to define the blue line as a whole," said Del Cole.

"The situation in the area of ​​operations of UNIFIL is calm and it has emphasized the importance of proactive initiatives to strengthen the security infrastructure along the Blue Line as a" peacekeeping force ". Step on the path to a lasting peace, "he said. "We must believe that peace is possible." Indeed, peace can begin from the tripartite forum. "It is up to the parties to take advantage of UNIFIL facilities to move forward in this direction," he said.

Del Cole called for "creating a new impetus in the process of marking the Blue Line by working on non-controversial issues of the Blue Line in a" confidence building measure "that could be used in parallel to resolve areas contested, so that the entire Blue Line can be marked. "

"The continued use of the UNIFIL liaison and coordination mechanism, in particular when planning actions in and around controversial or sensitive areas, will reduce friction points, reduce tensions and contribute significantly to the general calm between the parties on the ground, "he said.

UNIFIL has been working since 1978 in southern Lebanon to maintain peace and security in this sensitive border area of ​​Israel, which has experienced many conflicts over the last 40 years.

In December 2018, UNIFIL acknowledged the existence of a tunnel in the old Kfar Kala concrete concrete factory, which was expanding inland. Israeli". Based on this observation, UNIFIL can confirm that the former Kfar Kla concrete plant has an opening on the tunnel that crosses the Blue Line, the international border between Israel and Lebanon. She added that she continued to work with stakeholders to coordinate all activities in sensitive areas, to respect the "Blue Line" and to comply with UN Resolution 1701.

The leadership direction of the Lebanese army command issued the following statement: "This afternoon, a tripartite meeting was held in Ras Naqoura under the chairmanship of the commander of the interim force of the United Nations in Lebanon, Major General Stefano Del Cole, in the presence of a delegation of Lebanese army officers led by the Coordinator of the Government of the United Nations Interim Force. Brigadier General Pilot Amin Farhat.

For its part, the Lebanese side reiterated its commitment to maintain security on the southern border, in coordination with UNIFIL, and to avoid escalation in accordance with resolution 1701 and its provisions. He also stressed the Lebanese Shebaa farms, the Kfarshuba Hills and the northern part of Ghajar town, as well as the need to withdraw Israeli forces and send them back to Lebanon. He also claimed his rights over all his marine waters without any diminution.