Beirut, July 24 (IANS) Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Friday called for the creation of an international force to assist the Lebanese army in the country’s south if the UN peacekeeping mission cannot remain in the country.”Lebanon considers the continued presence of the international forces in the south to be the best option for the next phase. If that proves impossible because of procedures required at the UN Security Council, an alternative international force should be established to repla…
Latest UNIFIL News & Updates
United Nations, June 11 (IANS) UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for continued United Nations “uniformed presence” following the departure of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), a process set to begin at the end of this year. Speaking at an open debate of the UN Security Council on the situation in the Middle East on Wednesday (local time), Guterres said that the region is being pulled deeper into crisis, and the consequences reach far beyond the region.”I am profoundly concerne…
New Delhi, June 7 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday congratulated Major Abhilasha Barak on being conferred the UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award, hailing her “exemplary service” and calling this achievement an inspiration for Indian youth aspiring to serve society. In a post on X, PM Modi said, “Congratulations to Major Abhilasha Barak on being conferred the UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award. Major Barak is serving as an Engagement Team Commander and Gender Fo…
United Nations, June 6 (IANS) Indian Army Major Abhilasha Barak, who received a UN peacekeeping award, has urged diplomacy to find an end to the conflict in Lebanon so that rebuilding can begin in the war-devastated country where she is a peacekeeper.”What I foresee further is that talks should take place, diplomacy should come into action, and hopefully the ceasefire will continue”, Barak said at a news conference on Friday (local time)“And then we can move on to rebuilding the community, n…
United Nations, June 5 (IANS) India’s first woman combat helicopter pilot, Major Abhilasha Barak, received on Friday the UN 2005 Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award, recognising her efforts to promote the role and perspectives of women in peacekeeping. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who presented the award, said she was “a role model to those you serve, and those you serve with”.“Dreams do not have a gender, and neither does leadership, courage, or the will to serve humanity,…
United Nations, June 4 (IANS) India condemned on Thursday the attack on peacekeepers in Lebanon, which killed a Serbian soldier serving the UN. “India reiterates the fundamental importance of respecting the sanctity and inviolability of UN premises and personnel,” India’s UN Mission said in a statement that condemned the attack that occurred on Wednesday.Condemning the attack that resulted in the seventh fatality since March, Secretary-General António Guterres warned that it could amount …
Rome, June 4 (IANS) Italy’s foreign minister Antonio Tajani on Thursday called on Hezbollah to comply with a US-brokered accord between Lebanon and Israel to renew their fragile ceasefire announced in a joint statement which said the deal was “contingent on complete cessation” of attacks by the Iran-backed Shia Muslim militant group among other conditions.”We keep saying that the only path forward, if we want to achieve peace, is that of dialogue and diplomacy. The agreement reached yesterday (W…
Beirut, June 4 (IANS) A United Nations (UN) peacekeeper died on Thursday after mortar shells struck his position near Marjayoun, southeastern Lebanon, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) revealed.According to the UNIFIL, two other peacekeepers, who also sustained injuries, are being treated at a medical facility.“Soon after the incident that happened late last night, the critically injured peacekeeper was flown to a hospital in Beirut, where he succumbed to his wounds,” UNIF…
Nicosia, May 28 (IANS) The European Union is looking at possible European initiatives to stabilise southern Lebanon after the UN’s peacekeeping mission (UNIFIL) ceases operations, said Antonio Tajani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, on Thursday. The mission ceases operations at the end of December and starts to withdraw its personnel over the following year.“We discussed this, but ultimately a decision will have to be made, and we will have to see if it can be implemente…
Beirut, May 14 (IANS) At least 59 children were reportedly killed or injured in Lebanon over the past week despite a ceasefire agreement, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said, warning of deepening physical and psychological harm among young survivors. According to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, at least 23 children have been killed and 93 injured since the ceasefire took effect at midnight between April 16 and 17, bringing the total number of child casualties since March 2 to 200 killed …