U.N. Chief Affirms Support for UNIFIL Commander
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has welcomed the extension of a longtime peacekeeping operation in Lebanon, reiterating support for a commander who drew U.S. criticism.
Spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement that the peacekeeping mission, known as UNIFIL, will keep enhancing its operations and Guterres has confidence in its leadership and staff.
The Security Council renewed the mission on Wednesday, with new instructions for more patrols with Lebanese forces and detailed reports when peacekeepers run into roadblocks in Hizbullah strongholds in southern Lebanon. The U.S. and Israel pushed for the changes, saying UNIFIL wasn't doing enough to stop an alleged Hizbullah buildup of illegal weapons.
U.S. Ambassador to U.N. Nikki Haley also said UNIFIL's commander was "blind" to Hizbullah.
The commander said he had no evidence it was happening.
Source: Associated Press
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