Know UNSC Resolution 1701

UNSC Resolution 1701 (2006) is quiet clear concerning UNIFIL's freedom of movement on Lebanese territories south of the Litani River. Paragraph 12 states:

"Acting in support of a request from the government of Lebanon to deploy an international force to assist it to exercise its authority throughout the territory, authorizes Unifil to take all necessary action in areas of deployment of its forces and as it deems within its capabilities, to ensure that its area of operations is not utilised for hostile activities of any kind, to resist attempts by forceful means to prevent it from discharging its duties under the mandate of the Security Council, and to protect United Nations personnel, facilities, installations and equipment, ensure the security and freedom of movement of United Nations personnel, humanitarian workers, and, without prejudice to the responsibility of the government of Lebanon, to protect civilians under imminent threat of physical violence;

As for UNIFIL being obliged to have a Lebanese Army escort, the resolution is clear on that as well, UNIFIL is here to help and accompany the Lebanese Army not the other way round. Paragraph 11 (b) states that UNIFIL shall:

"Accompany and support the Lebanese armed forces as they deploy throughout the South, including along the Blue Line, as Israel withdraws its armed forces from Lebanon as provided in paragraph 2;"

Of course the heart of this resolution remains:

"the establishment between the Blue Line and the Litani river of an area free of any armed personnel, assets and weapons other than those of the government of Lebanon and of UNIFIL as authorised in paragraph 11"

No one wants or should want a new summer war with Israel. UNIFIL is all that stands between us and Israeli aggression.

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