Beirut: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated on Saturday that he perceives an "atmosphere of opportunity" in Lebanon. During a news conference in Beirut, Guterres highlighted the country's progress amidst ongoing tensions following his solidarity visit to Lebanon. He remarked on Lebanon's journey towards a more hopeful future after enduring one of its most challenging years in generations, noting a potential new era of institutional stability.
According to Anadolu Agency, Guterres witnessed the devastation in southern Lebanon, where many residents have returned to find their homes and communities destroyed. He reported that the Israeli army has begun a phased withdrawal from Lebanese territory, while the Lebanese Armed Forces are bolstering their presence south of the Litani River. Despite these developments, Guterres expressed concern over continued demolitions of buildings and infrastructure in the region and the occurrence of fatal airstrikes.
Israel has been reported to violate a ceasefire agreement signed on November 27, with over 560 breaches resulting in 37 deaths and 45 injuries. Guterres emphasized the need for respect towards Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity, urging the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. The resolution mandates the area between the Blue Line and the Litani River be free of all armed personnel, assets, and weapons, aside from those belonging to the Government of Lebanon and UNIFIL.
Guterres revealed that UNIFIL has uncovered over 100 unguarded weapons and ammunition caches in the past 40 days, promptly sharing these locations with Lebanese forces. He called for the international community to enhance support for the Lebanese Armed Forces and pledged intensified UN assistance for Lebanon's recovery and reconstruction efforts.
A fragile ceasefire has been in effect since November 27, which ended a period of mutual shelling between Israel and the Lebanese resistance group, Hezbollah. This conflict began on October 8, 2023, and escalated into a full-scale conflict on September 23. Guterres also acknowledged the plight of Israeli victims and expressed hope for displaced individuals on both sides to return home and resume their lives soon.