Berri says failure to renew UNIFIL mandate would be a ‘preventable mistake’

Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said on Tuesday that failing to renew the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) would be a “preventable mistake.”

Berri made the remarks during a meeting with Major General Charlie Collins, the UK Ministry of Defence’s Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff, and an accompanying military delegation, according to a statement published on Berri’s official website.

The meeting was also attended by Berri’s media adviser, Ali Hamdan.

Berri reiterated his position that failing to renew UNIFIL’s mandate would be a mistake that could still be avoided. He stressed the importance of maintaining a UN framework and operating under the UN flag for any force assisting the Lebanese Armed Forces following an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory.

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The British delegation presented a detailed overview of military cooperation programs and assistance provided to the Lebanese Army with the participation of several countries.

The discussions also addressed the broader situation in Lebanon and the region, as well as developments on the ground linked to continuing Israeli military operations in Lebanon, particularly in the south.

UNIFIL was established under UN Security Council Resolutions 425 and 426, adopted on 19th March 1978, to confirm Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon, restore international peace and security, and assist the Lebanese government in restoring its effective authority in the area.

Following the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah, the Security Council expanded UNIFIL’s mandate under Resolution 1701, assigning the force additional responsibilities to be carried out in close coordination with the Lebanese Armed Forces in southern Lebanon.

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