New York, August 31, 2017 – Ambassador Lana Zaki Nusayebe, Permanent Representative of the Permanent Mission of the United Arab Emirates to the United Nations, today welcomed the Security Council’s adoption of the renewal of the mandate of the UN Interim Force. Lebanon (UNIFIL), where several key proposals were made, including the Emirates.

The United Arab Emirates today made a statement before the Security Council, explaining its vote in favor of Resolution No. (2695), during which His Excellency Ambassador Nusaybe stressed that the country’s main priority during the pre-adoption negotiations centered on improving the Council’s support. UNIFIL’s efforts to maintain peace and stability in South Lebanon and throughout the region.

The United Arab Emirates added language to the resolution to strengthen the independence of UNIFIL’s mission, emphasizing the Lebanese government’s responsibility to facilitate free movement of the “force” to “all sites of interest” in all areas. Activities without barriers.

In addition, the country was able for the first time to add a specific reference to the need for UNIFIL access to unauthorized firing ranges, and to maintain the language adopted last year on not restricting or deterring “announced and unannounced patrols”. UN peacekeeping force

However, Ambassador Nusayebe expressed the UAE’s disappointment at the unjustified removal of an unqualified reference to the Israeli occupation of the Lebanese village of Qajar, and criticized the Security Council’s reluctance to mention Hezbollah as undermining UNIFIL’s humanitarian capacity.

His Excellency Ambassador Nusayebe noted Hezbollah’s responsibility for raising tensions along the Blue Line, which have reached “levels not seen since the 2006 war,” including continued violations of Security Council Resolutions (1559) and (1701). Lebanon and blocking investigations into the Beirut port explosion in 2020.

The UAE statement stressed that “no solution is capable of changing the fact that partnering with Hezbollah to achieve progress in Lebanon has resulted in nothing but disappointment and sadness, especially for the Lebanese people.”

His Excellency Ambassador Nusaybe concluded his statement by reaffirming that the UAE will continue to fulfill its role in the interest of the Lebanese people and the region as a whole.