Hezbollah MP criticizes UNIFIL but stresses need for its presence

Hezbollah lawmaker Ali Fayad has stressed “the need for a calm, wise and responsible approach toward any friction or tension between the South’s residents,” in the wake of a flurry of clashes and altercations in recent weeks.

Fayad however criticized the U.N. forces for “entering villages, towns and private properties without coordination or the presence of the Lebanese Army, at a time (residents) do not sense any role for UNIFIL in addressing the Israeli enemy’s continued occupation of Lebanese territory, incursions, assassinations and hostile actions.”

“Despite that, we are looking forward to a positive relation between residents and the U.N. forces, which is supposed to be based on confidence, reassurance and safety, not on doubt, suspicion and feeling that there is bias,” Fayad added.

“We stress the importance of the presence of the UNIFIl forces in the South as part of the implementation of Resolution 1701, in coordination with the Lebanese Army and within their specific role in preventing Israeli violations and attacks and assisting the Lebanese state in extending its sovereignty,” the MP went on to say.

He also voiced regret that “some are trying to exaggerate some incidents” and called on everyone to “put the higher national interest above any other consideration.”

Hezbollah supporters in Lebanon frequently accuse the U.N. mission -- which was created to oversee the withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon after Israel’s 1978 invasion -- of collusion with Israel. Israel meanwhile accuses the peacekeepers of turning a blind eye to alleged Hezbollah military activities in southern Lebanon.

The incidents come amid unconfirmed reports that the U.S. and Israel are mulling to end the work of the U.N. force in south Lebanon through a U.S. veto against extending its mandate at the U.N. Security Council.