Lebanese President Michel Aoun has welcomed the renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
The president said on Friday that the Security Council resolution was approved in line with Lebanon’s desire not to make any change in UNIFIL’s mandate, or the number of the peacekeepers or the force’s budget.
The resolution reaffirms the international community’s commitment to preserve stability on the southern border, for which Lebanon is working, Aoun stated.
The draft resolution, written by France and approved unanimously on Thursday, would allow for the approximately 10,000 UNIFIL members to stay in place.
It "condemns all violations of the Blue Line" between Lebanon and Israel, "both by air and ground, and strongly calls upon all parties to respect the cessation of hostilities."
"Urging all parties to make every effort to ensure that the cessation of hostilities is sustained," the Security Council called on all sides to "exercise maximum calm and restraint."
Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri also welcomed the renewal of UNIFIL’s mandate.
Tweeting from his official account, Hariri said: “The Security Council consensus shows the unity of the international community around its support for Lebanon and its stability and security.”
