UNIFIL Force Commander Major General Aroldo Lázaro welcomed Thursday the relative calm observed in South Lebanon since November but cautioned that “major challenges remain.”
Speaking at a ceremony marking the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, he underlined that the situation along the Blue Line remains tense, with continued violations and the persistent risk of escalation. “Any miscalculation could have serious consequences,” he warned.
Lázaro also emphasized the importance of Lebanese state presence in the south, describing the recent deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces in the area as “an important step” that must be supported, as it represents a key guarantor of national security.
“May we renew our shared commitment to a more peaceful future, for south Lebanon, for the region, and for all the conflicts where the UN tries to bring peace,” said Major General Lázaro during the ceremony, held at UNIFIL’s headquarters in Naqoura.
He noted that nearly 10,000 military and civilian personnel from 48 countries currently serve under the UNIFIL mandate, each contributing to the mission’s efforts to restore stability in coordination with Lebanese counterparts.
Also delivering a message on the occasion, UNIFIL Deputy Head of Mission Hervé Lecoq highlighted the mission’s ongoing relevance. “We are here, we are contributing to peace,” he said.
The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers is observed globally on May 29 and serves as a tribute to the service and sacrifices of UN personnel serving under the blue flag. UNIFIL was established in 1978.
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