By Nohad Topalian | 2025-02-23

BEIRUT -- The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) have been working in close coordination to restore stability to southern Lebanon and protect returning residents.

The army deployed in the south following the November 27 ceasefire agreement. Under the terms of the truce, the LAF and UNIFIL are the only armed groups authorized to operate in southern Lebanon.

The army's presence "confirms Lebanon is rebuilding itself, and that its army is capable of establishing peace, security and stability for the people of the south," said Regional Forum for Studies and Consultations director Khaled Hamadeh.

LAF operations are being conducted under the supervision of a five-nation oversight committee, with residents showing increased compliance with military directives during village reentry procedures, he told Al-Fassel.

The truce agreement -- monitored by United States, France, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Egypt -- includes provisions for "the confiscation of weapons and destruction of infrastructure of Hizbullah and all armed groups," he noted.

As the Lebanese military escorts displaced residents back to their villages, UNIFIL peacekeepers have intensified humanitarian support initiatives benefiting tens of thousands of returnees along the region's sensitive border areas.

Fostering security and stability

"We are making efforts to support affected communities, especially those able to return to their villages, by providing immediate assistance enabling them to stay in their villages," UNIFIL spokesman Andrea Tenenti told Al-Fassel.

In late December, for example, UNIFIL's Italian and Malaysian battalions distributed winter clothing, toys, school supplies and sweets to approximately 200 children and teenagers at a Maaroub village orphanage.

The initiative "supports their psychological, social and educational development, and meets their needs in the current circumstances," Tenenti said.

"Any assistance provided today to children, adolescents and families is very important and welcome throughout the affected south," he added.

The south's infrastructure, including social infrastructure, has been severely damaged, Tenenti said.

Local residents "need everything, from blankets to clothes, medicines, electrical generators, and more, which is difficult to provide in the absence of global support that we hope will find its way to implementation," he said.

"As peacekeeping forces, we organize activities and support assistance for war-affected local communities with the aim of establishing peace among them."

Lebanon formed a new government on February 8 under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.

In a February 10 statement, UNIFIL reaffirmed its "steadfast commitment to security and stability, including through impartial monitoring of all parties' commitments" under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701."

"We look forward to continued collaboration with the new Lebanese government to achieve lasting peace and sustainable recovery," it said.