The United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, expressed “cautious optimism” regarding Lebanon’s political and security situation during her briefing to the UN Security Council on Monday.
Hennis-Plasschaert welcomed the formation of Lebanon’s new government and its ministerial program. She also acknowledged the challenges ahead, emphasizing that the prolonged governmental vacuum left the administration with just over a year to tackle pressing issues.
Speaking alongside Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Hennis-Plasschaert assessed the security situation, noting that while the cessation of hostilities remains intact, military activities on Lebanese territory persist. She warned that the continued presence of Israeli forces and ongoing shelling could have “serious repercussions” along the Blue Line.
“We urgently need diplomatic and political discussions that pave the way for the full implementation of Resolution 1701,” she urged, cautioning that conflicting interpretations of the November Understanding and the resolution itself, along with selective application of its provisions, could lead to renewed escalation. However, she highlighted a “glimmer of hope” in ongoing diplomatic discussions.
Furthermore, the Special Coordinator praised the Lebanese Army (LAF) for its deployment across southern towns and villages, as well as Israel’s recent decision to lift restrictions along its northern border. Despite these developments, she acknowledged that fear remains prevalent on both sides of the Blue Line.
Hennis-Plasschaert stressed that the Lebanese government is walking a “fine line” in navigating the post-conflict phase, urging patience and international support. She also pointed to significant gaps in international funding for Lebanon’s recovery, warning that “failure to jump-start the reconstruction process will be costly.”
“People must feel and see the fruits of stability for themselves before they can truly believe in it,” she concluded.
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