New York, SANA- United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) spokesman, Andrea Tenenti, underlined the necessity to renew UNIFIL’s mandate in order to support stability in the region.
He warned that non-renewal would affect the stability of the region as a whole.
It is expected that UN Security Council would vote later Thursday on a draft resolution to renew UNIFIL mission mandate operating in the region.
“The mandate renewal is considered as an important step for maintaining peace in southern Lebanon and avoiding creating a vacuum at a time of dire need for an international presence”, Tenenti said in an exclusive interview with UN News Centre.
He added: “The Lebanese government, army and authorities, have fully committed to international resolutions, but the presence of Israeli forces there, in violation of Lebanese sovereignty and Resolution No. 1701, makes this task more difficult”.
He also noted that Lebanese Army does not have capabilities and capacities necessary for full deployment in the southern region at present time, saying: “they need support, not only from UNIFIL in terms of capabilities and potential, but also financially from international community.
Rafah/Manar
