UN chief in Beirut for Lebanon 'solidarity' visit
U.N. chief Antonio Guterres said he had arrived in Beirut on Friday for a "solidarity" visit to Lebanon, where the Middle East war has claimed more than 687 lives since March 2.
"I have just landed in Beirut for a visit of solidarity with the people of Lebanon. They did not choose this war. They were dragged into it. The U.N. and I will spare no effort in striving for the peaceful future that Lebanon and this region so richly deserve," the United Nations secretary-general said on X.
Al-Akhbar newspaper has reported that Guterres would stay in Lebanon for three days.
He is scheduled to meet with President Joseph Aoun, Speaker Nabih Berri, PM Nawaf Salam and Army Commander General Rodolphe Haykal, the newspaper said.
He will also visit the headquarters of the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and its positions in the south.
Guterres is also expected to meet with the heads of U.N. agencies operating in Lebanon to discuss their role in addressing the aftermath of the war.
Guterres is expected to hold a press conference on Saturday to announce the U.N.'s position on the developments.
According to informed sources, the Secretary-General may have on his agenda a proposal to revive Resolution 1701 by issuing a new Security Council resolution stipulating the presence of an international force in southern Lebanon.
This would be a countermeasure to a recent resolution that ends UNIFIL's mandate at the end of this year.
The U.N. is relying on contacts being made by countries contributing troops to UNIFIL with Lebanese and Israeli authorities to secure their agreement to maintain the force. A proposal prepared by the U.N. Special Coordinator, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, for a European force to remain under international auspices is unlikely to be considered.
Source: Agence France Presse, Naharnet
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