The United States stated on Thursday (October 10) that countries should strengthen the Lebanese army and government to enable them to effectively govern the entire country of Lebanon. It is also crucial to fully implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which calls for the disarmament of all Lebanese militia groups, including Hezbollah.
US Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations, Robert Wood, emphasized during a Security Council meeting that the international community must unite efforts to enhance Lebanon’s government and military forces. He stressed that the solution to the crisis lies in empowering Lebanon rather than weakening it, allowing the country to assert its sovereignty and be safeguarded by legitimate security forces such as the Lebanese Armed Forces.
Wood highlighted the long-term threat posed by Hezbollah to Israel and Lebanon’s security and stressed the necessity of enforcing UN Resolution 1701 to push Hezbollah to withdraw from border areas and allow the deployment of Lebanese Armed Forces and UNIFIL troops in the south.
With Iran’s financial and material support, Hezbollah has openly defied Resolutions 1559 and 1701, jeopardizing Lebanon’s sovereignty and political independence, according to Wood. He expressed concern for the innocent Israelis and Lebanese forced to flee in search of safety, leaving behind everything they knew.
Wood stated, “We believe diplomacy is the only way for these individuals to return home. To ensure a lasting diplomatic solution, all parties must fully implement Resolution 1701.”
In August 2006, the UN Security Council passed Resolution 1701, also known as the “Lebanon-Israel Peace Resolution.” The resolution authorized the deployment of a peacekeeping force (UNIFIL) in southern Lebanon and demanded the disarmament of all militia groups in Lebanon.
France also backs the US’s stance on strengthening the Lebanese Armed Forces.
French Ambassador to the United Nations, Nicolas de Riviere, reiterated during a Security Council meeting that Hezbollah and Israel must immediately cease fire, emphasizing that the US and France’s proposal for a 21-day ceasefire last month remains valid. He expressed support for enhancing Lebanese institutions, particularly the Lebanese Armed Forces.
Riviere later told reporters, “We need to deploy the Lebanese Armed Forces to the south and complete this task… We must ensure that the Lebanese Armed Forces receive proper equipment and training.”
Lebanese UN envoy Hadi Hachem told the Security Council, “Only through a diplomatic solution, implementation of international resolutions, adherence to international law, and humanitarian law can we end this war and aggression.”
Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, stressed to the Security Council the importance of implementing Resolution 1701 and Resolution 1559 passed in 2004.
Resolution 1559 raises concerns about the presence of armed militias in Lebanon, preventing the government from exercising full sovereignty over the country’s territory. It calls for the disbandment of all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias and the disarmament of these groups.
Danon stated, “We are fulfilling our duty to ensure this, and the Security Council must support our efforts.”